Subcutaneously administered anti-IL-6 receptor antibody for treatment of systemic sclerosis

ABSTRACT

The present application discloses methods for treating an IL-6-mediated disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic JIA (sJIA), polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA), systemic sclerosis, or giant cell arteritis (GCA), with subcutaneously administered antibody that binds interleukin-6 receptor (anti-IL-6R antibody). In particular, it relates to identification of a fixed dose of anti-IL-6R antibody, e.g. tocilizumab, which is safe and effective for subcutaneous administration in patients with IL-6-mediated disorders. In addition, formulations and devices useful for subcutaneous administration of an anti-IL-6R antibody are disclosed.

This is a divisional application which claims priority under 35 USC §120 to non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/290,366, filed Nov. 7, 2011, which claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/411,015, filed on Nov. 8, 2010 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/542,615, filed on Oct. 3, 2011, which are incorporated by reference in entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application concerns methods for treating an IL-6-mediated disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic JIA (sJIA), polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA), systemic sclerosis, or giant cell arteritis (GCA), with subcutaneously administered antibody that binds interleukin-6 receptor (anti-IL-6R antibody). In particular, it relates to identification of a fixed dose of anti-IL-6R antibody, e.g. tocilizumab, which is safe and effective for subcutaneous administration in patients with IL-6-mediated disorders. In addition, formulations and devices useful for subcutaneous administration of an anti-IL-6R antibody are disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis that damages diarthroidal joints and is accompanied by fatigue, anemia, and osteopenia. Rheumatoid arthritis has a prevalence of 0.5% to 1.0% (Silman, A. J. “Epidemiology and the rheumatic diseases.” In: Maddison P J, Isenberg D A, Woo P, Glass D N, eds. Oxford Textbook of Rheumatology: Oxford University Press: 499-513 (1993)) and a peak incidence between 40 and 60 years of age and affects primarily women. The cause of RA is not known; however, certain histocompatibility antigens are associated with poorer outcomes. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide only symptomatic relief. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), the cornerstone of RA treatment throughout all stages of the disease (Maddison et al., supra), maintain or improve physical function and retard radiographic joint damage (Brooks, P. M. “Clinical Management of rheumatoid arthritis.” Lancet 341: 286-290 (1993)). More recently, biological compounds that target tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), B-cells, or T-cells have been used successfully to treat RA, but ˜30% to 40% of patients fail to respond to these therapies (Bathon et al. New Eng. J. Med. 343: 1586-1592 (2000); Maini et al. Arthritis & Rheumatism 41: 1552-1563 (1998)).

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory, multifunctional cytokine produced by a variety of cell types. IL-6 is involved in such diverse processes as T-cell activation, B-cell differentiation, induction of acute phase proteins, stimulation of hematopoietic precursor cell growth and differentiation, promotion of osteoclast differentiation from precursor cells, proliferation of hepatic, dermal and neural cells, bone metabolism, and lipid metabolism (Hirano T. Chem Immunol. 51:153-180 (1992); Keller et al. Frontiers Biosci. 1: 340-357 (1996); Metzger et al. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 281: E597-E965 (2001); Tamura et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 90:11924-11928 (1993); Taub R. J Clin Invest 112: 978-980 (2003)). IL-6 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, neoplasia, and aging (Hirano, T. (1992), supra; and Keller et al., supra). IL-6 exerts its effects through a ligand-specific receptor (IL-6R) present both in soluble and membrane-expressed forms.

Elevated IL-6 levels have been reported in the serum and synovial fluid of RA patients, indicative of production of IL-6 by the synovium (Irano et al. Eur J Immunol. 18:1797-1801 (1988); and Houssiau et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1988; 31:784-788 (1988)). IL-6 levels correlate with disease activity in RA (Hirano et al. (1988), supra), and clinical efficacy is accompanied by a reduction in serum IL-6 levels (Madhok et al. Arthritis Rheum. 33:S154. Abstract (1990)).

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin IgG1 subclass which binds to human IL-6R. Clinical efficacy and safety studies of intravenous (IV) TCZ have been completed or are conducted by Roche and Chugai in various disease areas, including adult-onset RA, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

TCZ 8 mg/kg IV has been approved in over 70 countries for use in RA, including Japan and Europe. In the United States, TCZ IV (4 mg/kg and 8 mg/kg) has been approved in RA patients who have had an inadequate response to anti-TNF agents. Additionally, TCZ was approved for use in Castleman's disease in India and Japan.

On Apr. 15, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved TCZ, given alone or in combination with methotrexate, for the treatment of active systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) (US Package Insert (USPI) for TCZ ACTEMRA®, April 2011). On Aug. 1, 2011, TCZ was also approved in the EU for the treatment of active sJIA who have responded inadequately to previous therapy with NSAIDs and systemic corticosteroids (CS), and TCZ can be given as monotherapy (in case of intolerance to MTX or where treatment with MTX is inappropriate) or in combination with MTX in patients 2 years of age and older (Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for RoACTEMRA, Roche Registration Limited 6 Falcon Way Shire Park, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1TW, United Kingdom, 4 Jun. 2010). The approved TCZ dose for sJIA patients weighing <30 kg is 12 mg/kg TCZ, and for patients weighing ≧30 kg is 8 mg/kg IV infusion every 2 weeks.

TCZ has been approved for treatment of polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pcJIA) in Japan based on the phase 3 study MRA318JP conducted in Japanese patients. WA19977 is an ongoing pivotal phase 3 study investigating the efficacy, safety, PK and PD of TCZ in children with pcJIA age of 2 to 17 years old.

TCZ has been intravenously administered to 2 Japanese patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc) (Shima et al. Rheumatology 49:2408-12 (2010), doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keq275)), and to 5 patients with SSc (Meunier et al. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 70(Suppl 3):660 (2011)). In patients with SSc, elevated levels of circulating IL-6 have been reported, particularly in patients with early disease. IL-6 is overexpressed in endothelial cells and fibroblasts of involved skin in patients with SSc (Koch et al. Pathobiology 61:239-46 (1993)). Elevated IL-6 levels have been detected in the bronchioalveolar lavage of patients with SSc. Dermal fibroblasts from patients with SSc have been reported to constitutively express higher levels of IL-6 compared with those of healthy controls (Kadono et al. J. Rheumatol. 25:296-301 (1998)). In addition, serum IL-6 levels correlate positively with skin sclerosis and acute-phase proteins (Ong and Denton, Curr. Opin. Rheumatol. 22:264-72 (2010)).

IL-6 has first been described as a potent growth and maturation factor for developing human plasma cells. IL-6 induces B-cell proliferation, antibody secretion, and survival of plasmablasts. Activated B cells produce IL-6 and other cytokines. In patients with SSc, polyclonal B-cell activation, presence of highly specific autoantibodies, and B-lymphocyte infiltration in diseased skin of patients have been detected. However, open-label trials of B cell-depleting antibodies in patients with SSc have resulted in inconclusive data to date (Bosello et al. Arthritis Res. Therapy 12:R54 (2010); Layfatis et al. Arthritis Rheum. 60; 578-83 (2009); Daoussis et al. Rheumatology 49:271-80 (2010)). Bosello et al. (2010) reported beneficial effects of B-cell depletion for patients with SSc that were associated with a reduction of serum IL-6 levels. In addition to its effects on B-cell function, IL-6 has specific effects on T cells. IL-6 promotes T-cell survival and Th17-lymphocyte differentiation and inhibits development of regulatory T cells. Th17 cells produce IL-17 and have been linked to development of autoimmune diseases. In an autocrine loop, IL-17 may induce IL-6 synthesis in human fibroblasts (Fossiez et al. J. Exp. Med. 813:2593-2603 (1996)). Increased circulating Th17 cells have also recently been reported in patients with SSc (Radstake et al. PLoS ONE 4(6):e5903. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005903. Atamas S P Life Sci 72:631-43 (2009)), whereas serum and bronchioalveolar lavage levels of IL-17 were found to be increased in patients with SSc and ILD (Kurasawa et al. Arthritis Rheum 43: 2455-63 (2000)).

Fibrosis gradually replaces the inflammatory phase of SSc. In vitro experiments with human dermal fibroblast cultures showed that IL-6 increased collagen type I, glycosaminoglycans, hyaluronic acid, and chondroitin sulfate production (Duncan and Berman J. Invest. Dermatol. 97:686-92 (1991)).

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a primary vasculitis involving large and medium sized arteries which is typically diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy. Signs and symptoms of GCA include elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or new headaches. Adverse sequelae include: irreversible blindness (bilateral retinal or optic nerve ischemia), infarcation of brain, tongue, upper limb, or aortic aneurysm. GCA is an unmet medical need. High dose corticosteroids (CS) are the current standard of care, but more durable remissions are needed (50% of patients relapse), and steroid sparing treatment options are needed in view of steroid-related complications). Case studies reporting the use of TCZ in giant cell arteritis are: Seitz et al. Swiss Med Wkly 141:w13156 pgs. E1-E4 (2011); Salvarani et al. Arth. and Rheum. (April 2011); and Beyer et al. Ann. Rheum. Dis. pgs. 1-2 (2011), doi:10.1136/ard.2010.149351. In each of these studies TCZ was administered intravenously.

Patents and patent publications related to anti-IL-6R antibodies include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,840 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,796 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,373 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,793 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,282 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,691 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,979 (Kishimoto), U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965 (Tsuchiya et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,790 (Tsuchiya et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,543 (Tsuchiya et al.), US 2005/0142635 (Tsuchiya et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,510 (Kishimoto et al.), US 2001/0001663 (Kishimoto et al.), US 2007/0036785 (Kishimoto et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,874 (Yoshida et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,560 (Tsujinaka et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,742 (Nakamura et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,453 (Nakamura et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,771,723 (Nakamura et al.), US 2002/0131967 (Nakamura et al.), US 2004/0247621 (Nakamura et al.), US 2002/0187150 (Mihara et al.), US 2005/0238644 (Mihara et al.), US 2009/0022719 (Mihara et al.), US 2006/0134113 (Mihara), U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,319 (Ito et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,824,674 (Ito et al.), US 2004/0071706 (Ito et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,782 (Shibuya et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,962,812 (Shibuya et al.), WO 00/10607 (Akihiro et al.), US 2003/0190316 (Kakuta et al.), US 2003/0096372 (Shibuya et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,792 (Ito et al.), US 2008/0124325 (Ito et al.), US 2004/0028681 (Ito et al.), US 2008/0124325 (Ito et al.), US 2006/0292147 (Yoshizaki et al.), US 2007/0243189 (Yoshizaki et al.), US 2004/0115197 (Yoshizaki et al.), US 2007/0148169 (Yoshizaki et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,332,289 (Takeda et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,927,815 (Takeda et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,955,598 (Yoshizaki et al.), US 2004/0138424 (Takeda et al.), US 2008/0255342 (Takeda et al.), US 2005/0118163 (Mizushima et al.), US 2005/0214278 (Kakuta et al.), US 2008/0306247 (Mizushima et al.), US 2009/0131639 (Kakuta et al.), US 2006/0142549 (Takeda et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 7,521,052 (Okuda et al.), US 2009/0181029 (Okuda et al.), US 2006/0251653 (Okuda et al.), US 2009/0181029 (Okuda et al.), US 2007/0134242 (Nishimoto et al.), US 2008/0274106 (Nishimoto et al.), US 2007/0098714 (Nishimoto et al.), US 2010/0247523 (Kano et al.), US 2006/0165696 (Okano et al.), US 2008/0124761 (Goto et al.), US 2009/0220499 (Yasunami), US 2009/0220500 (Kobara), US 2009/0263384 (Okada et al.), US 2009/0291076 (Morichika et al.), US 2009/0269335 (Nakashima et al.), US 2010/0034811 (Ishida), US 2010/0008907 (Nishimoto et al.), US 2010/0061986 (Takahashi et al.), US 2010/0129355 (Ohguro et al.), US 2010/0255007 (Mihara et al.), US 2010/0304400 (Stubenrach et al.), US 2010/0285011 (Imaeda et al.), US 2011/0150869 (Mitsunaga et al.), WO 2011/013786 (Maeda) and US 2011/0117087 (Franze et al.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention concerns a method of treating an IL-6-mediated disorder in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose (e.g. administered every week or every two weeks). Embodiments of the disorder include: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), psoriatic arthritis, and Castleman's disease. Preferably, the anti-IL-6R antibody is tocilizumab.

The invention also concerns a method of treating rheumatoid arthritis in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering tocilizumab to the patient, wherein the tocilizumab is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose every week or every two weeks.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an article of manufacture comprising a subcutaneous administration device, which delivers to a patient a fixed dose of an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody, wherein the fixed dose is selected from the group consisting of 162 mg, 324 mg, and 648 mg of the anti-IL-6R antibody.

The invention, in another aspect, concerns a method of inhibiting progression of structural joint damage in a rheumatoid arthritis patient comprising subcutaneously administering a fixed dose of 162 mg of an anti-IL-6R antibody to the patient every two weeks, wherein structural joint damage at week 24 or week 48 is found to be inhibited.

In addition, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising: an anti-IL-6R antibody in an amount from about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL, and hyaluronidase enzyme in an amount from about 1,400 to about 1,600 U/mL.

In further aspects, a method of treating an IL-6-mediated disorder in a patient is provided comprising subcutaneously administering such pharmaceutical composition to the patient, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 324 mg per dose or 648 mg per dose, e.g. where the fixed dose is administered every four weeks or once every month.

The invention also concerns a method of treating an IL-6-mediated disorder in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6R antibody and a hyaluronidase enzyme to a patient, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 324 mg per dose or 648 mg per dose (e.g. every four weeks or once every month).

The invention also concerns subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6R antibody (e.g. tociluzumab) to a patient with an IL-6-mediated disorder. Examples of such disorders include: autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, neoplasia, aging, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic JIA (sJIA), polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA), psoriatic arthritis, Castleman's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple myeloma, polymyalgia rheumatica, glomerulonephritis, plasmacytoma or plasmacytosis, myeloma (including multiple myeloma), hyperimmunoglobulinemia, anemia, nephritis (such as mesangium proliferative nephritis), cachexia (including cancerous cachexia), tumors, T cell mediated disease (e.g. uveitis, chronic thyroiditis, delayed hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, or atopic dermatitis), lupus (including lupus nephritis and systemic lupus erythmatosus), inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), pancreatitis, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, mesothelioma, vasculitis, islet transplantation (e.g. pancreatic islet transplantation), myocardial infarction (heart failure, ischemia-induced severe arrhythmia), heart transplantation, prostate cancer, choroidal neovascularization (e.g. age-related macular degeneration, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, cyopic choroidal neovascularization, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization), muscle atrophy, chronic rejection, ocular inflammatory disease (e.g. panuveitis, anterior aveitis, intermediate uveitis, scleritis, keratitis, orbital inflammation, optic neuritis, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, postoperative inflammation), graft versus host disease (GVHD), fibrotic disorders (such as systemic sclerosis), giant cell arteritis (GCA), Takayasu's arteritis (TA), arteritis nodosa, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.

Optionally, the disorder is rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), systemic JIA (sJIA), polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA), giant cell arteritis (GCA), or systemic sclerosis.

In one embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody is subcutaneously administered to the patient with the IL-6-mediated disorder as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose, wherein the fixed dose is subcutaneously administered every week, every two weeks, or every 10 days.

In a further aspect, the invention concerns a method of treating juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient in an amount effective to treat the JIA.

Additionally, a method of treating a fibrotic disease (e.g. systemic sclerosis) in a patient is provided which comprises subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient in an amount effective to treat the fibrotic disease.

Moreover, the invention concerns a method of treating giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient in an amount effective to treat the GCA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts mean sIL-6R concentration-time profiles following administration of TCZ 162 mg SC QW/Q2W in Japanese (MRA227) and Caucasian (NP22623) RA patients compared with TCZ 4 & 8 mg IV Q4W (WA17823). Key: Japanese RA patients MRA227 study: N=12 for the 162 mg QW group, N=12 for 162 mg Q2W group and N=6 to 8 for the 81 mg QW/Q2W group which had a single dose part of 3 weeks. For the 81 mg group, the regimen was switched from Q2W to QW at week 9; Caucasian RA patients in NP22623 study: N=13 for 162 mg Q2W and N=14 for QW group. WA17823 study: N=146 for 4 mg/kg IV Q4W and N=532 or 8 mg/kg IV in combination with MTX. Error bar denotes standard deviation.

FIG. 2 depicts mean CRP-time profiles following administration of TCZ 162 mg QW/Q2W SC in Japanese (MRA227) and Caucasian (NP22623) RA patients compared with the profile of 4 & 8 mg/kg IV Q4W (WA17822). Key: Japanese RA patients in MRA227 study: N=12 for the 162 mg QW group, N=12 for the 162 mg Q2W group and N=8 up to week 11 and N=7 thereafter for the 81 mg Q2W/QW group including the single dose part of 3 weeks. For the 81 mg group, the regimen was switched from Q2W to QW at week 9; Caucasian RA patients in NP22623 study: N=13 for 162 mg Q2W and N=14 for QW group. WA17822 study: N=152 to 211 for 4 mg/kg IV Q4W and N=167 to 206 for 8 mg/kg IV in combination with MTX. ULN-Upper limit of normal range.

FIG. 3 depicts change in DAS28-ESR from baseline following administration of TCZ in SC studies (MRA227 and NP22623) and in IV Study (WA17822). Key: Japanese SC study in RA patients (MRA227): N=12 for the 162 mg QW group, N=12 for 162 mg Q2W group and N=8 up to week 11 and N=7 thereafter for the 81 mg Q2W/QW group including the single dose part of 3 weeks. For the 81 mg group, the regimen was switched from Q2W to QW at week 9; Caucasian SC study in RA patients (NP22623): N=11 for the 162 mg Q2W group+MTX QW and N=12 for the 162 mg QW+MTX QW group. Comparator study WA17822: N=152 to 211 for the 4 mg/kg Q4W+MTX QW group, and N=167 to 206 for 8 mg/kg Q4W+MTX QW group.

FIG. 4 depicts mean±SD serum TCZ concentrations following administration of 162 mg SC QW and Q2W in Study MRA227 and 4 & 8 mg/kg IV Q4W in Study LRO301. Key: Group 1 (N=8 up to week 11 and N=7 thereafter): patients received 81 mg SC single dose at week 1, started Q2W dosing at week 3, and switched to Q2W dosing at week 9; Group 2 (162 mg Q2W, N=12): patients received single 162 mg SC dose at week 1 and started Q2W dosing at week 3; Group 3 (162 mg QW, N=12): patients received 162 mg QW dosing for 15 weeks until the data-cut. Caucasian SC Study in RA patients (NP22623): N=13 for the 162 mg Q2W group+methotrexate (MTX) QW and N=14 for the 162 mg QW+MTX QW group. PK profiles from 4 and 8 mg/kg IV infusion every 4 weeks in RA patients in the Phase 2 dose-finding study LRO301 are illustrated for comparison. LRO301 was selected for comparison as PK from phase 2 and phase 3 studies were similar and Phase 3 had infrequent PK sampling (an observed mean PK profile could not be constructed appropriately).

FIG. 5 depicts WA22762 Study Design as in Example 2.

FIG. 6 depicts NA25220B Study Design as in Example 3.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict the amino acid sequences of the light chain (FIG. 7A; SEQ ID NO:1) and heavy chain (FIG. 7B; SEQ ID NO:2) of Tocilizumab.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict mean (±SD) Tocilizumab concentration-time profile by cohort for the study in Example 5. FIG. 8A provides linear scale; FIG. 8B provides log-linear scale. TCZ=tocilizumab; TCZ/PH20=tocilizumab co-formulated with rHuPH20.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict dose proportionality for Tocilizumab/rHuPH20 AUC_(0-inf). (FIG. 9A) and C_(max) (FIG. 9B).

FIG. 10 depicts mean (±SEM) CRP concentration-time plot by cohort. TCZ=tocilizumab; TCZ/PH20=tocilizumab co-formulated with rHuPH20.

FIG. 11 depicts mean (±SEM) IL-6 concentration-time plot by cohort. TCZ=tocilizumab; TCZ/PH20=tocilizumab co-formulated with rHuPH20.

FIG. 12 depicts mean (±SEM) sIL-6R concentration-time plot by cohort. TCZ=tocilizumab; TCZ/PH20=tocilizumab co-formulated with rHuPH20.

FIG. 13 compares IV PK profiles following 4 and 8 mg/kg every 4 Weeks with SC PK profiles following 324 mg TCZ/rHuPH20 and 648 mg TCZ/rHuPH20 Administration (The IV data for 4 and 8 mg/kg are from study LRO320). TCZ=tocilizumab; TCZ/PH20=tocilizumab co-formulated with rHuPH20.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict PK profiles following intravenous (IV) (simulated for WA18221 FIG. 14A) and subcutaneous (SC) administration (simulated for the patients from WA18221, FIG. 14B).

FIG. 15 model predicted Cmin for study WA18221 (12 mg/kg for body weight (BW)<30 kg and 8 mg/kg for BW≧30 kg).

FIG. 16 model simulated TCZ Cmin for sJIA patients (162 mg Q2W for BW<30 kg and 162 mg QW for BW≧30 kg).

FIG. 17 model simulated TCZ Cmin for sJIA patients (162 mg QW for BW<30 kg and 162 mg QW for BW≧30 kg).

FIG. 18 model simulated TCZ Cmin for sJIA patients (162 mg Q10D for BW<30 kg and 162 QW for BW≧30 kg).

FIGS. 19A and 19B depict probability to reach pcJIA50 score (FIG. 19A) and pcJIA70 score (FIG. 19B) in study MRA318JP (8 mg/kg TCZ) in different body weight categories. Numbers on dotted lines indicate the probability to reach pcJIA50 or pcJIA70 score.

FIGS. 20A and 20B depict simulated area under curve (AUC) vs body weight (BW) in Japanese Pediatric pcJIA patients (MRA318JP) after 6 months. TCZ 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks in both body weight categories (n=19) (FIG. 20A); 10 mg/kg or 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks in children with body weight <30 kg and ≧30 kg (n=19) (FIG. 20B). The full line represents a smoothed spline through the data. The dotted line (FIG. 20B) is a smoothed spline indicating the reference trend in the data without any change in mg/kg dose in children with a body weight lower than 30 kg.

FIGS. 21A and 21B depict PK profiles following IV administration every 4 weeks (simulated for WA19977, FIG. 21A) and 162 mg SC administration every 2 weeks (simulated for patients from WA19977, FIG. 21B).

FIG. 22 is a schematic of subcutaneously administered anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

FIGS. 23A-23D show concentration-time profiles for TCZ (FIG. 23A), sIL-6R/TCZ complex (FIG. 23B), CRP (FIG. 23C), and ESR (FIG. 23D) for two body weight groups through week 16 in WA18221 study

FIGS. 24A-24D show concentration-time profiles for TCZ (FIG. 24A), sIL-6R (FIG. 24B), CRP (FIG. 24C) and ESR (FIG. 24D) for pcJIA patients from the MRA318JP study.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Definitions

Some abbreviations used herein: adverse event (AE), auto-injector (AI), area under curve (AUC), body weight (BW), corticosteroids (CS), C-reactive protein (CRP), every 10 days (Q10D), every week (QW), every 2 weeks (Q2W), every 4 weeks (Q4W), giant cell arteritis (GCA), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R), intravenous (IV), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), methotrexate (MTX), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pharmacodynamic (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK), polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pcJIA), pre-filled syringe (PFS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), rheumatoid factor (RF), serious adverse event (SAE), soluble interleukin 6 receptor (sIL-6R), subcutaneous (SC), systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), tocilizumab (TCZ), and water for injection (WFI).

Herein “human interleukin 6” (abbreviated as “IL-6”) is a cytokine also known as B cell-stimulating factor 2 (BSF-2), or interferon beta-2 (IFNB2), hybridoma growth factor, and CTL differentiation factor. IL-6 was discovered as a differentiation factor contributing to activation of B cells (Hirano et al., Nature 324: 73-76 (1986)), and was later found to be a multifunction cytokine which influences the functioning of a variety of different cell types (Akira et al., Adv. in Immunology 54: 1-78 (1993)). Naturally occurring human IL-6 variants are known and included in this definition. Human IL-6 amino acid sequence information has been disclosed, see for example, www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P05231.

For the purposes herein “human interleukin 6 receptor” (abbreviated as “IL-6R”) refers to the receptor which binds IL-6, including both membrane-bound IL-6R (mIL-6R) and soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R). IL-6R can combine with interleukin 6 signal transducer glycoprotein 130 to form an active receptor complex. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms of IL-6 have been reported and are included in this definition. The amino acid sequence structure of human IL-6R and its extracellular domain have been described; see, for example, Yamasaki et al., Science, 241: 825 (1988).

A “neutralizing” anti-IL-6R antibody herein is one which binds to IL-6R and is able to inhibit, to a measurable extent, the ability of IL-6 to bind to and/or active IL-6R. Toclizumab is an example of a neutralizing anti-IL-6R antibody.

“Tocilizumab” or “TCZ” is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to human interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). It is an IgG1κ (gamma 1, kappa) antibody with a two heavy chains and two light chains forming two antigen-binding sites. In a preferred embodiment, the light chain and heavy chain amino acid sequences of Tocilizumab comprise SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively (see FIGS. 7A-B).

A “native sequence” protein herein refers to a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of a protein found in nature, including naturally occurring variants of the protein. The term as used herein includes the protein as isolated from a natural source thereof or as recombinantly produced.

The term “antibody” herein is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g. bispecific antibodies) formed from at least two intact antibodies, and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.

“Antibody fragments” herein comprise a portion of an intact antibody which retains the ability to bind antigen. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab′, F(ab′)₂, and Fv fragments; diabodies; linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules; and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments.

The term “monoclonal antibody” as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical and/or bind the same epitope, except for possible variants that may arise during production of the monoclonal antibody, such variants generally being present in minor amounts. In contrast to polyclonal antibody preparations that typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen. In addition to their specificity, the monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they are uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins. The modifier “monoclonal” indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al., Nature, 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567). The “monoclonal antibodies” may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described in Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222:581-597 (1991), for example. Specific examples of monoclonal antibodies herein include chimeric antibodies, humanized antibodies, and human antibodies, including antigen-binding fragments thereof.

The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include “chimeric” antibodies (immunoglobulins) in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-6855 (1984)). Chimeric antibodies of interest herein include “primatized” antibodies comprising variable domain antigen-binding sequences derived from a non-human primate (e.g. Old World Monkey, such as baboon, rhesus or cynomolgus monkey) and human constant region sequences (U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,780).

“Humanized” forms of non-human (e.g., murine) antibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a hypervariable region of the recipient are replaced by residues from a hypervariable region of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, rabbit or nonhuman primate having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, humanized antibodies may comprise residues that are not found in the recipient antibody or in the donor antibody. These modifications are made to further refine antibody performance. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the hypervariable regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FRs are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence, except for FR substitution(s) as noted above. The humanized antibody optionally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region, typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For further details, see Jones et al., Nature 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, Curr. Op. Struct. Biol. 2:593-596 (1992). Humanized antibodies herein specifically include “reshaped” IL-6R antibodies as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965, expressly incorporated herein by reference.

A “human antibody” herein is one comprising an amino acid sequence structure that corresponds with the amino acid sequence structure of an antibody obtainable from a human B-cell, and includes antigen-binding fragments of human antibodies. Such antibodies can be identified or made by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to: production by transgenic animals (e.g., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production (see, e.g., Jakobovits et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits et al., Nature, 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggermann et al., Year in Immuno., 7:33 (1993); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,669, 5,589,369 and 5,545,807)); selection from phage display libraries expressing human antibodies or human antibody fragments (see, for example, McCafferty et al., Nature 348:552-553 (1990); Johnson et al., Current Opinion in Structural Biology 3:564-571 (1993); Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991); Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol. 222:581-597 (1991); Griffith et al., EMBO J. 12:725-734 (1993); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,565,332 and 5,573,905); generation via in vitro activated B cells (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,610 and 5,229,275); and isolation from human antibody producing hybridomas.

A “multispecific antibody” herein is an antibody having binding specificities for at least two different epitopes. Exemplary multispecific antibodies may bind to two different epitopes of IL-6R. Alternatively, an anti-IL-6R binding arm may be combined with an arm that binds to a triggering molecule on a leukocyte such as a T-cell receptor molecule (e.g. CD2 or CD3), or Fc receptors for IgG (FcγR), such as FcγRI (CD64), FcγRII (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16) so as to focus cellular defense mechanisms to the receptor. Multispecific antibodies can be prepared as full-length antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. F(ab′)₂ bispecific antibodies). Engineered antibodies with three or more (preferably four) functional antigen binding sites are also contemplated (see, e.g., US Appln No. US 2002/0004587 A1, Miller et al.).

Antibodies herein include “amino acid sequence variants” with altered antigen-binding or biological activity. Examples of such amino acid alterations include antibodies with enhanced affinity for antigen (e.g. “affinity matured” antibodies), and antibodies with altered Fc region, if present, e.g. with altered (increased or diminished) antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and/or complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) (see, for example, WO 00/42072, Presta, L. and WO 99/51642, Iduosogie et al.); and/or increased or diminished serum half-life (see, for example, WO00/42072, Presta, L.).

An “affinity matured variant” has one or more substituted hypervariable region residues of a parent antibody (e.g. of a parent chimeric, humanized, or human antibody). Generally, the resulting variant(s) selected for further development will have improved antigen-binding affinity relative to the parent antibody from which they are generated. A convenient way for generating such substitutional variants involves “affinity maturation” using phage display. Briefly, several hypervariable region sites (e.g. 6-7 sites) are mutated to generate all possible amino substitutions at each site. The antibody variants thus generated are displayed in a monovalent fashion from filamentous phage particles as fusions to the gene III product of M13 packaged within each particle. The phage-displayed variants are then screened for their biological activity (e.g. binding affinity). In order to identify candidate hypervariable region sites for modification, alanine scanning mutagenesis can be performed to identify hypervariable region residues contributing significantly to antigen binding. Alternatively, or additionally, it may be beneficial to analyze a crystal structure of the antigen-antibody complex to identify contact points between the antibody and human IL-2R. Such contact residues and neighboring residues are candidates for substitution according to the techniques elaborated herein. Once such variants are generated, the panel of variants is subjected to screening and antibodies with improved affinity may be selected for further development.

The antibody herein may be conjugated with a “heterologous molecule” for example to increase half-life or stability or otherwise improve the antibody. For example, the antibody may be linked to one of a variety of non-proteinaceous polymers, e.g., polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol, polyoxyalkylenes, or copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Antibody fragments, such as Fab′, linked to one or more PEG molecules are an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The antibody herein may be a “glycosylation variant” such that any carbohydrate attached to the Fc region, if present, is altered. For example, antibodies with a mature carbohydrate structure that lacks fucose attached to an Fc region of the antibody are described in US Pat Appl No US 2003/0157108 (Presta, L.). See also US 2004/0093621 (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo Co., Ltd). Antibodies with a bisecting N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) in the carbohydrate attached to an Fc region of the antibody are referenced in WO 2003/011878, Jean-Mairet et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,684, Umana et al. Antibodies with at least one galactose residue in the oligosaccharide attached to an Fc region of the antibody are reported in WO 1997/30087, Patel et al. See, also, WO 1998/58964 (Raju, S.) and WO 1999/22764 (Raju, S.) concerning antibodies with altered carbohydrate attached to the Fc region thereof. See also US 2005/0123546 (Umana et al.) describing antibodies with modified glycosylation.

The term “hypervariable region” when used herein refers to the amino acid residues of an antibody that are responsible for antigen binding. The hypervariable region comprises amino acid residues from a “complementarity determining region” or “CDR” (e.g. residues 24-34 (L1), 50-56 (L2) and 89-97 (L3) in the light chain variable domain and 31-35 (H1), 50-65 (H2) and 95-102 (H3) in the heavy chain variable domain; Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 5th Ed. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. (1991)) and/or those residues from a “hypervariable loop” (e.g. residues 26-32 (L1), 50-52 (L2) and 91-96 (L3) in the light chain variable domain and 26-32 (H1), 53-55 (H2) and 96-101 (H3) in the heavy chain variable domain; Chothia and Lesk J. Mol. Biol. 196:901-917 (1987)). “Framework” or “FR” residues are those variable domain residues other than the hypervariable region residues as herein defined. The hypervariable regions of Tocilizumab comprise:

(SEQ ID NO: 3) L1 - Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Ser Ser Tyr Leu Asn; (SEQ ID NO: 4) L2 - Tyr Thr Ser Arg Leu His Ser; (SEQ ID NO: 5) L3 - Gln Gln Gly Asn Thr Leu Pro Tyr Thr; (SEQ ID NO: 6) H1 - Ser Asp His Ala Trp Ser; (SEQ ID NO: 7) H2 - Tyr Ile Ser Tyr Ser Gly Ile Thr Thr Tyr Asn Pro Ser Leu Lys Ser; and (SEQ ID NO: 8) H3 - Ser Leu Ala Arg Thr Thr Ala Met Asp Tyr.

In one embodiment herein, the IL-6R antibody comprises the hypervariable regions of Tocilizumab.

A “full length antibody” is one which comprises an antigen-binding variable region as well as a light chain constant domain (CL) and heavy chain constant domains, CH1, CH2 and CH3. The constant domains may be native sequence constant domains (e.g. human native sequence constant domains) or amino acid sequence variants thereof. Preferably, the full length antibody has one or more effector functions. Tocilizumab is an example of a full-length antibody.

A “naked antibody” is an antibody (as herein defined) that is not conjugated to a heterologous molecule, such as a cytotoxic moiety, polymer, or radiolabel.

Antibody “effector functions” refer to those biological activities attributable to the Fc region (a native sequence Fc region or amino acid sequence variant Fc region) of an antibody. Examples of antibody effector functions include C1q binding, complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), Fc receptor binding, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), etc.

Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy chains, full length antibodies can be assigned to different “classes”. There are five major classes of full length antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into “subclasses” (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgA2. The heavy-chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of antibodies are called alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma, and mu, respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known.

The term “recombinant antibody”, as used herein, refers to an antibody (e.g. a chimeric, humanized, or human antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof) that is expressed by a recombinant host cell comprising nucleic acid encoding the antibody. Examples of “host cells” for producing recombinant antibodies include: (1) mammalian cells, for example, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO), COS, myeloma cells (including Y0 and NS0 cells), baby hamster kidney (BHK), Hela and Vero cells; (2) insect cells, for example, sf9, sf21 and Tn5; (3) plant cells, for example plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana (e.g. Nicotiana tabacum); (4) yeast cells, for example, those belonging to the genus Saccharomyces (e.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or the genus Aspergillus (e.g. Aspergillus niger); (5) bacterial cells, for example Escherichia. coli cells or Bacillus subtilis cells, etc.

As used herein, “specifically binding” or “binds specifically to” refers to an antibody selectively or preferentially binding to IL-6R antigen. Preferably the binding affinity for antigen is of Kd value of 10⁻⁹ mol/l or lower (e.g. 10⁻¹⁰ mol/l), preferably with a Kd value of 10⁻¹⁰ mol/l or lower (e.g. 10⁻¹² mol/l). The binding affinity is determined with a standard binding assay, such as surface plasmon resonance technique (BIACORE®).

For the purposes herein, the term “IL-6-mediated disorder” refers to a disease or disorder in which activation of IL-6R by IL-6 results in the disorder and/or treatment with an anti-IL-6R antibody can be used to treat the disease or disorder. Examples of such disorders include: autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, neoplasia, aging, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (including systemic JIA and polyarticular course JIA), psoriatic arthritis, Castleman's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple myeloma, polymyalgia rheumatica, glomerulonephritis, plasmacytoma or plasmacytosis, myeloma (including multiple myeloma), hyperimmunoglobulinemia, anemia, nephritis (such as mesangium proliferative nephritis), cachexia (including cancerous cachexia), tumors, T cell mediated disease (e.g. uveitis, chronic thyroiditis, delayed hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, or atopic dermatitis), lupus (including lupus nephritis and systemic lupus erythmatosus), inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), pancreatitis, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, mesothelioma, vasculitis, islet transplantation (e.g. pancreatic islet transplantation), myocardial infarction (heart failure, ischemia-induced severe arrhythmia), heart transplantation, prostate cancer, choroidal neovascularization (e.g. age-related macular degeneration, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, cyopic choroidal neovascularization, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization), muscle atrophy, chronic rejection, ocular inflammatory disease (e.g. panuveitis, anterior aveitis, intermediate uveitis, scleritis, keratitis, orbital inflammation, optic neuritis, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, postoperative inflammation), graft versus host disease (GVHD), fibrotic disorders (such as systemic sclerosis), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu's arteritis (TA), arteritis nodosa, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.

In one embodiment, the IL-6-mediated disorder is rheumatoid arthritis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is systemic JIA (sJIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is systemic sclerosis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is giant cell arteritis (GCA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is psoriatic arthritis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is uveitis.

As used herein, “rheumatoid arthritis” (abbreviated as “RA”) refers to is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks synovial joints. RA diagnosed according to the RA must be diagnosed according to the 1987 or 2000 revised American College of Rheumatology (ACR; formerly American Rheumatism Association) criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis, or any similar criteria. Physiological indicators of RA include, symmetric joint swelling which is characteristic though not invariable in rheumatoid arthritis. Fusiform swelling of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the hands as well as metacarpophalangeal (MCP), wrists, elbows, knees, ankles and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints are commonly affected and swelling is easily detected. Pain on passive motion is the most sensitive test for joint inflammation, and inflammation and structural deformity often limits the range of motion for the affected joint. Typical visible changes include ulnar deviation of the fingers at the MCP joints, hyperextension or hyperflexion of the MCP and PIP joints, flexion contractures of the elbows, and subluxation of the carpal bones and toes.

A patient with “active rheumatoid arthritis” means a patient with active and not latent symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In one embodiment, such patient has moderate-to-severe active RA of ≧6 months disease duration at time of baseline visit. In one embodiment, such patients will have: (1) swollen joint count (SJC)≧4 (66 joint count), (2) tender joint count (TJC)≧4 (68 joint count), and/or C-reactive protein (CRP)≧upper limit of normal (ULN) at screening visit.

Examples of “disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs” or “DMARDs” include hydroxycloroquine, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, leflunomide, azathioprine, D-penicillamine, gold salts (oral), gold salts (intramuscular), minocycline, cyclosporine including cyclosporine A and topical cyclosporine, staphylococcal protein A, and TNF-inhibitors (see below), including salts, variants, and derivatives thereof, etc. Exemplary DMARDs herein are non-biological DMARDs, including, in particular, azathioprine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, methotrexate and sulfasalazine, with methotrexate being the DMARD according to one embodiment of the invention.

For the purposes herein, “tumor necrosis factor” (abbreviated “TNF”) refers to a human TNF-alpha molecule comprising the amino acid sequence as described in Pennica et al., Nature, 312:721 (1984) or Aggarwal et al., JBC, 260:2345 (1985).

A “TNF-inhibitor” herein is an agent that inhibits, to some extent, a biological function of TNF-alpha, generally through binding to TNF-alpha and neutralizing its activity. Examples of TNF inhibitors specifically contemplated herein are etanercept (ENBREL®), infliximab (REMICADE®), and adalimumab (HUMIRA®), certolizumab pegol (CIMZIA®), and golimumab (SIMPONI®).

The subject who is a “DMARD inadequate responder” is one who has experienced an inadequate response to previous or current treatment with one or more DMARDs (including one or more TNF inhibitors) because of toxicity or inadequate efficacy.

The subject who is a “TNF inhibitor inadequate responder” has experienced an inadequate response to previous or current treatment with one or more TNF inhibitors because of toxicity or inadequate efficacy. In one embodiment, such patient has received, for example, etanercept for ≧3 months at 25 mg twice a week or at least 4 infusions of infliximab at ≧3 mg/kg but had an inadequate response thereto.

A “methotrexate inadequate responder” is a patient who has experienced an inadequate response to previous or current treatment with methotrexate because of toxicity or inadequate efficacy. In one embodiment, the patient has been on methotrexate (10-25 mg/week) for at least 12 weeks and still has active disease.

A “fixed dose” herein refers to a dosage of a drug, such as an anti-IL-6R antibody which is administered without regard to the patient's weight or body surface area (BSA), i.e. it is not administered as either a mg/kg or mg/m² dose.

“Treatment” of a subject herein refers to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures.

The expression “effective amount” refers to an amount of the antibody that is effective for treating the IL-6 disorder. Where the disorder is RA, such effective amount can result in any one or more of reducing the signs or symptoms of RA (e.g. achieving ACR20, ACR50, or ACR70 response at week 24 and/or week 48), reducing disease activity (e.g. Disease Activity Score, DAS20), ACR-hybrid, slowing the progression of structural joint damage, improving physical function, etc. In one embodiment, such clinical response is comparable to that achieved with intravenously administered anti-IL-6R antibody.

The expression “inhibiting progression of structural joint damage” in a RA patient refers to preventing or slowing structural joint damage caused by RA, for example based on eroded joint count and/or joint damage score. Methods for measuring progression of structural joint damage are known to the skilled person, and include, without limitation Genant-modified Total Sharp Score (TSS), erosion score (ES), and/or joint space narrowing (JSN) score.

The term “immunosuppressive agent” as used herein for adjunct therapy refers to substances that act to suppress or mask the immune system of the mammal being treated herein. This would include substances that suppress cytokine production, down-regulate or suppress self-antigen expression, or mask the MHC antigens. Examples of such agents include 2-amino-6-aryl-5-substituted pyrimidines (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,077); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); ganciclovir, tacrolimus, glucocorticoids such as cortisol or aldosterone, anti-inflammatory agents such as a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, or a leukotriene receptor antagonist; purine antagonists such as azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF); alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide; bromocryptine; danazol; dapsone; glutaraldehyde (which masks the MHC antigens, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,649); anti-idiotypic antibodies for MHC antigens and MHC fragments; cyclosporin A; steroids such as corticosteroids or glucocorticosteroids or glucocorticoid analogs, e.g., prednisone, methylprednisolone, including SOLU-MEDROL® methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and dexamethasone; dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors such as methotrexate (oral or subcutaneous); anti-malarial agents such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine; sulfasalazine; leflunomide; cytokine antagonists such as cytokine antibodies or cytokine receptor antibodies including anti-interferon-alpha, -beta, or -gamma antibodies, anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antibodies (infliximab (REMICADE®) or adalimumab), anti-TNF-alpha immunoadhesin (etanercept), anti-TNF-beta antibodies, anti-interleukin-2 (IL-2) antibodies and anti-IL-2 receptor antibodies, and anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibodies and antagonists; anti-LFA-1 antibodies, including anti-CD11a and anti-CD18 antibodies; anti-L3T4 antibodies; heterologous anti-lymphocyte globulin; pan-T antibodies, preferably anti-CD3 or anti-CD4/CD4a antibodies; soluble peptide containing a LFA-3 binding domain (WO 90/08187 published Jul. 26, 1990); streptokinase; transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta); streptodornase; RNA or DNA from the host; FK506; RS-61443; chlorambucil; deoxyspergualin; rapamycin; T-cell receptor (Cohen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,721); T-cell receptor fragments (Offner et al., Science, 251: 430-432 (1991); WO 90/11294; Ianeway, Nature, 341: 482 (1989); and WO 91/01133); BAFF antagonists such as BAFF antibodies and BR3 antibodies and zTNF4 antagonists (for review, see Mackay and Mackay, Trends Immunol., 23:113-5 (2002)); biologic agents that interfere with T cell helper signals, such as anti-CD40 receptor or anti-CD40 ligand (CD154), including blocking antibodies to CD40-CD40 ligand (e.g., Durie et al., Science, 261: 1328-30 (1993); Mohan et al., J. Immunol., 154: 1470-80 (1995)) and CTLA4-Ig (Finck et al., Science, 265: 1225-7 (1994)); and T-cell receptor antibodies (EP 340,109) such as T10B9. Some immunosuppressive agents herein are also DMARDs, such as methotrexate. Examples of immunosuppressive agents herein include cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, azathioprine, leflunomide, MMF, or methotrexate.

The “CD20” antigen, or “CD20,” is an about 35-kDa, non-glycosylated phosphoprotein found on the surface of greater than 90% of B cells from peripheral blood or lymphoid organs. CD20 is present on both normal B cells as well as malignant B cells, but is not expressed on stem cells. Other names for CD20 in the literature include “B-lymphocyte-restricted antigen” and “Bp35”. The CD20 antigen is described in Clark et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 82:1766 (1985), for example.

Examples of CD20 antibodies include: “C2B8,” which is now called “rituximab” (“RITUXAN®/MABTHERA®”) (U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137); the yttrium-[90]-labelled 2B8 murine antibody designated “Y2B8” or “Ibritumomab Tiuxetan” (ZEVALIN®) commercially available from Biogen Idec, Inc. (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,137; 2B8 deposited with ATCC under accession no. HB11388 on Jun. 22, 1993); murine IgG2a “B1,” also called “Tositumomab,” optionally labelled with ¹³¹I to generate the “131I-B1” or “iodine I131 tositumomab” antibody (BEXXAR™) commercially available from Corixa (see, also, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,721); murine monoclonal antibody “1F5” (e.g., Press et al. Blood 69(2):584-591 (1987) and variants thereof including “framework patched” or humanized 1F5 (e.g., WO 2003/002607, Leung, S.; ATCC deposit HB-96450); murine 2H7 and chimeric 2H7 antibody (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,180); a humanized 2H7 (e.g., WO 2004/056312 (Lowman et al.) and as set forth below); HUMAX-CD20™ fully human, high-affinity antibody targeted at the CD20 molecule in the cell membrane of B-cells (Genmab, Denmark; see, for example, Glennie and van de Winkel, Drug Discovery Today 8: 503-510 (2003) and Cragg et al., Blood 101: 1045-1052 (2003)); the human monoclonal antibodies set forth in WO 2004/035607 and WO 2005/103081 (Teeling et al., GenMab/Medarex); the antibodies having complex N-glycoside-linked sugar chains bound to the Fc region described in US 2004/0093621 (Shitara et al.); monoclonal antibodies and antigen-binding fragments binding to CD20 (e.g., WO 2005/000901, Tedder et al.) such as HB20-3, HB20-4, HB20-25, and MB20-11; single-chain proteins binding to CD20 (e.g., US 2005/0186216 (Ledbetter and Hayden-Ledbetter); US 2005/0202534 (Hayden-Ledbetter and Ledbetter); US 2005/0202028 (Hayden-Ledbetter and Ledbetter); US 2005/0202023 (Hayden-Ledbetter and Ledbetter, Trubion Pharm Inc.); CD20-binding molecules such as the AME series of antibodies, e.g., AME-33™ antibodies as set forth, for example, in WO 2004/103404 and US 2005/0025764 (Watkins et al., Applied Molecular Evolution, Inc.) and the CD20 antibodies with Fc mutations as set forth, for example, in WO 2005/070963 (Allan et al., Applied Molecular Evolution, Inc.); CD20-binding molecules such as those described in WO 2005/016969 and US 2005/0069545 (Carr et al.); bispecific antibodies as set forth, for example, in WO 2005/014618 (Chang et al.); humanized LL2 monoclonal antibodies as described, for example, in US 2005/0106108 (Leung and Hansen; Immunomedics); chimeric or humanized B-Ly1 antibodies to CD20 as described, for example, in WO2005/044859 and US 2005/0123546 (Umana et al.; GlycArt Biotechnology AG); A20 antibody or variants thereof such as chimeric or humanized A20 antibody (cA20, hA20, respectively) and IMMUN-106 (e.g., US 2003/0219433, Immunomedics); and monoclonal antibodies L27, G28-2, 93-1B3, B-C1 or NU-B2 available from the International Leukocyte Typing Workshop (e.g., Valentine et al., In: Leukocyte Typing III (McMichael, Ed., p. 440, Oxford University Press (1987)). The preferred CD20 antibodies herein are chimeric, humanized, or human CD20 antibodies, more preferably rituximab, a humanized 2H7, chimeric or humanized A20 antibody (Immunomedics), HUMAX-CD20™ human CD20 antibody (Genmab), and immunoglobulins/proteins binding to CD20 (Trubion Pharm Inc.).

The terms “rituximab” or “RITUXAN®” herein refer to the genetically engineered chimeric murine/human monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen and designated “C2B8” in U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,560 (Anderson et. al.), including fragments thereof which retain the ability to bind CD20.

Examples of “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” or “NSAIDs” include aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen, indomethacin, sulindac, tolmetin, phenylbutazone, diclofenac, ketoprofen, benorylate, mefenamic acid, methotrexate, fenbufen, azapropazone; COX-2 inhibitors such as celecoxib (CELEBREX®; 4-(5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide, valdecoxib (BEXTRA®), meloxicam (MOBIC®), GR 253035 (Glaxo Wellcome); and MK966 (Merck Sharp & Dohme), including salts and derivatives thereof, etc. Preferably, they are aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, or tolmetin.

“Corticosteroid” refers to any one of several synthetic or naturally occurring substances with the general chemical structure of steroids that mimic or augment the effects of the naturally occurring corticosteroids. Examples of synthetic corticosteroids include prednisone, prednisolone (including methylprednisolone, such as SOLU-MEDROL® methylprednisolone sodium succinate), dexamethasone or dexamethasone triamcinolone, hydrocortisone, and betamethasone. The preferred corticosteroids herein are prednisone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone.

A “medicament” is an active drug to treat the joint damage or its symptoms or side effects.

The term “pharmaceutical formulation” refers to a preparation which is in such form as to permit the biological activity of the active ingredient or ingredients to be effective, and which contains no additional components which are unacceptably toxic to a subject to which the formulation would be administered. Such formulations are sterile.

A “sterile” formulation is aseptic or free from all living microorganisms and their spores.

A “stable” formulation is one in which all the protein therein essentially retain their physical stability and/or chemical stability and/or biological activity upon storage at the intended storage temperature, e.g. 2-8° C. Preferably, the formulation essentially retains its physical and chemical stability, as well as its biological activity upon storage. The storage period is generally selected based on the intended shelf-life of the formulation. Furthermore, the formulation is preferably stable following freezing (to, e.g., −20° C.) and thawing of the formulation, for example following 1 or more cycles of freezing and thawing. Various analytical techniques for measuring protein stability are available in the art and are reviewed in Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery, 247-301, Vincent Lee Ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, N.Y., Pubs. (1991) and Jones, A. Adv. Drug Delivery Rev. 10: 29-90 (1993), for example. Stability can be measured at a selected temperature for a selected time period. Stability can be evaluated qualitatively and/or quantitatively in a variety of different ways, including evaluation of aggregate formation (for example using size exclusion chromatography, by measuring turbidity, and/or by visual inspection); by assessing charge heterogeneity using cation exchange chromatography or capillary zone electrophoresis; SDS-PAGE analysis to compare reduced and intact antibody; evaluating biological activity or antigen binding function of the antibody; etc.

A “stabilizer” herein is an excipient, or mixture of two or more excipients, which stabilizes a pharmaceutical formulation. For example, the stabilizer can prevent instability due to freezing-thawing or other thermal-induced destabilization of the formulation. Exemplary excipients herein include surfactants, and amino acids, such as arginine or methionine (including derivatives thereof).

The term “surfactant” as used herein denotes a pharmaceutically acceptable surface-active agent. In the formulation of the invention, the amount of surfactant is described a percentage expressed in weight/volume. The most commonly used weight/volume unit is mg/mL. Suitable examples of pharmaceutically acceptable surfactants include polyoxyethylen-sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethylene-polypropylene glycols, polyoxyethylene-stearates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, e.g. polyoxyethylene monolauryl ether, alkylphenylpolyoxy-ethylene ethers (Triton-X), polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer (Poloxamer, Pluronic), and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Most suitable polyoxyethylenesorbitan-fatty acid esters are polysorbate 20 (sold under the trademark TWEEN 20®) and polysorbate 80 (sold under the trademark TWEEN 80®). Most suitable polyethylene-polypropylene copolymers are those sold under the names PLURONIC® F68 or POLOXAMER 188®. Preferred polyoxyethylene-stearates are those sold under the trademark MYRJ™. Most suitable polyoxy-ethylene alkyl ethers are those sold under the trademark BRIJ™. Most suitable alkylphenolpoly-oxyethylene ethers are sold under the trade name TRITON-X®.

The term “buffer” as used herein denotes a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer which resists changes in pH by the action of its acid/base conjugate components. Optionally, the pH of the formulation is in the range from 5 to 7, e.g. from 5.5 to 6.5, most preferably about pH 6, and the buffer employed achieves such desired pH for the formulation. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable buffers according to the invention comprise but are not limited to histidine-buffers, citrate-buffers, gluconate-buffers, succinate-buffers, acetate-buffers glycylglycine and other organic acid buffers, and phosphate-buffers. Preferred buffers comprise L-histidine or mixtures of L-histidine with L-histidine hydrochloride with isotonicity agents and potentially pH adjustment with an acid or a base known in the art. Most preferred is histidine (e.g. L-histidine).

By “isotonic” is meant that the formulation of interest has essentially the same osmotic pressure as human blood. Isotonic formulations will generally have an osmotic pressure from about 250 to 350 mOsm. Isotonicity can be measured using a vapor pressure or ice-freezing type osmometer, for example.

A “liquid formulation” or “aqueous formulation” according to the invention denotes a formulation which is liquid at a temperature of at least about 2 to about 8° C.

The term “lyophilized formulation” denotes a formulation which is dried by freezing the formulation and subsequently subliming the ice from the frozen content by any freeze-drying methods known in the art, for example commercially available freeze-drying devices. Such formulations can be reconstituted in a suitable diluent, such as water, sterile water for injection, saline solution etc, to form a reconstituted liquid formulation suitable for administration to a subject.

“Hyaluronan” (abbreviated “HA” and also called “hyaluronic acid” or “hyaluronate”) is an anionic, nonsulfated glycosaminoglycan distributed widely throughout connective, epithelial, and neural tissues.

“Hyaluronidases” are enzymes that degrade hyaluronic acid. In humans, there are six associated genes, including HYALPI (pseudogene), HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3, HYAL4, and PH20/SPAM1. The term herein includes “acid-active” enzymes (such as HYAL1), and “neutral-active” enzymes (such as PH20). It also includes enzymes with or without a glycosylphosphtidy inositol anchor; preferably the hyaluronidase is soluble or lacks an anchor. Hyaluronidases can be included in a pharmaceutical formulation in order to: facilitate administration of the therapeutic drug into the hypodermis, reduce the viscosity of the interstitum, allow larger volumes to be administered SC, and/or increase absorption and dispersion of another injected drug. The hyaluronidase enzyme in a pharmaceutical formulation herein is characterized by having no adverse effect on the molecular integrity of the anti-IL-6R antibody in the formulation, and while it modifies the delivery of the anti-IL-6R antibody to the systemic circulation it does not possess any properties that could provide or contribute to the therapeutic effects of systemically absorbed anti-IL-6R antibody. See, also, WO 2004/078140, WO2006/091871 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,429 regarding hyaluronidases according to the present invention. Hyaluronidase products approved in EU countries include HYALASE®. Hyaluronidase products of animal origin approved in the US include VITRASE™, HYDRASE™, and AMPHADASE™. The preferred hyaluronidase herein is recombinant human PH20.

“Recombinant human PH20” (abbreviated “rHuPH20”) refers to a soluble, neutral pH-active enzyme comprising a truncated human PH20 amino acid sequence. It can be synthesized with a 35 amino acid signal peptide that is removed from the N-terminus during the process of secretion so as to provide an N-terminal amino acid sequence found in some bovine hyaluronidase preparations. Preferably, rHuPH20 herein comprises the amino acid sequence available under CAS Registry No. 757971-58-7 or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,429, expressly incorporated herein by reference, and has an approximate molecular weight of 61 kDa. See, also, Frost, G. I., “Recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20): an enabling platform for subcutaneous drug and fluid administration”, Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery 4: 427-440 (2007)). The term herein includes rHuPH20 (HYLENEX®) commercially available from Halozyme Therapeutics Inc.

A “subcutaneous administration device” refers to a device, such as syringe, injection device, infusion pump, injector pen, needleless device, patch delivery system, etc, which is adapted or designed to administer a drug or pharmaceutical formulation by the subcutaneous route. In one embodiment, the device administers about 0.9 mL, 1.8 mL, or 3.6 mL of a pharmaceutical formulation.

A “package insert” is used to refer to instructions customarily included in commercial packages of therapeutic products, that contain information about the indications, usage, dosage, administration, contraindications, other therapeutic products to be combined with the packaged product, and/or warnings concerning the use of such therapeutic products, etc.

Herein, a “fibrotic disease” is one involving the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ and/or tissue. Examples of fibrotic diseases herein include: systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), keloids, hypertrophic scars, burn scars, liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis (including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, IPF), cardiac fibrosis, kidney fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, etc. In one embodiment, the fibrotic disease is systemic sclerosis.

“Systemic sclerosis” (SSc) or “scleroderma” is a complex and heterogeneous disease with skin and tissue fibrosis, vascular alterations, and autoantibodies against various cellular antigens being amongst its principal features. The clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosis can range from limited skin involvement to severe internal organ dysfunction. Internal visceral organ pathology is a major factor contributing to the morbidity of this disease, with the kidneys, esophagus, heart, and lungs being the most frequently involved. There are two major subgroups in the commonly accepted classification of SSc: limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc). Gabrielli et al. Mechanisms of disease. Scleroderma. N Engl J Med 360:1989-2003 (2009).

In one embodiment, the patient with systemic sclerosis has been classified according to the American College of Rheumatology (formerly, the American Rheumatism Association) criteria for the classification of systemic scleroderma based on:

major criterion: proximal diffuse (truncal) sclerosis (skin tightness, thickening, and non-pitting induration); and

minor criteria: (1) sclerodactyly (only fingers and/or toes), (2) digital pitting scars or loss of substance of the digital finger pads (pulp loss), and (3) bilateral basilar pulmonary fibrosis, wherein a patient with systemic sclerosis should fulfill the major criterion or two of the three minor criteria. See Subcommittee for Scleroderma Criteria of the American Rheumatism Association, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Criteria Committee. Preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Arthritis Rheum 23:581-90 (1980).

II. Production of Anti-IL-6R Antibodies

The methods and articles of manufacture of the present invention use, or incorporate, an antibody that binds to human IL-6R. IL-6R antigen to be used for production of, or screening for, antibodies may be, e.g., a soluble form of IL-6R or a portion thereof (e.g. the extracellular domain), containing the desired epitope. Alternatively, or additionally, cells expressing IL-6R at their cell surface can be used to generate, or screen for, antibodies. Other forms of IL-6R useful for generating antibodies will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the antibody is an antibody fragment, various such fragments being disclosed above.

In another embodiment, the antibody is an intact or full-length antibody. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant domain of their heavy chains, intact antibodies can be assigned to different classes. There are five major classes of intact antibodies: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, and several of these may be further divided into subclasses (isotypes), e.g., IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, and IgA2. The heavy chain constant domains that correspond to the different classes of antibodies are called α, δ, ε, γ, and μ, respectively. The subunit structures and three-dimensional configurations of different classes of immunoglobulins are well known. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody is an IgG1 or IgM antibody.

Techniques for generating antibodies are known and examples provided above in the definitions section of this document. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody is a chimeric, humanized, or human antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof. Preferably the antibody is a humanized full-length antibody.

Various techniques are available for determining binding of the antibody to the IL-6R. One such assay is an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for confirming an ability to bind to human IL-6R. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965. According to this assay, plates coated with IL-6R (e.g. recombinant sIL-6R) are incubated with a sample comprising the anti-IL-6R antibody and binding of the antibody to the sIL-6R is determined.

Preferably, the anti-IL-6R antibody is neutralizes IL-6 activity, e.g. by inhibiting binding of IL-6 to IL-6R. An exemplary method for evaluating such inhibition is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,670,373, and 5,795,965, for example. According to this method, the ability of the antibody to compete with IL-6 to IL-6R is evaluated. For example, a plate is coated with IL-6R (e.g. recombinant sIL-6R), a sample comprising the anti-IL-6R antibody with labeled IL-6 is added, and the ability of the antibody to block binding of the labeled IL-6 to the IL-6R is measured. See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965. Alternatively, or additionally, identification of binding of IL-6 to membrane-bound IL-6R is carried out according to the method of Taga et al. J. Exp. Med., 166: 967 (1987). An assay for confirming neutralizing activity using the IL-6-dependent human T-cell leukemia line KT3 is also available, see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,670,373, and Shimizu et al. Blood 72: 1826 (1988).

Non-limiting examples of anti-IL-6R antibodies herein include PM-1 antibody (Hirata et al., J. Immunol. 143:2900-2906 (1989), AUK12-20, AUK64-7, and AUK146-15 antibody (U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965), as well as humanized variants thereof, including, for example, tocilizumab. See, U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965. Preferred examples of the reshaped human antibodies used in the present invention include humanized or reshaped anti-interleukin (IL-6) receptor antibodies (hPM-1 or MRA) (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965).

The antibody herein is preferably recombinantly produced in a host cell transformed with nucleic acid sequences encoding its heavy and light chains (e.g. where the host cell has been transformed by one or more vectors with the nucleic acid therein). The preferred host cell is a mammalian cell, most preferably a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells.

III. Pharmaceutical Formulations

Therapeutic formulations of the antibodies used in accordance with the present invention are prepared for storage by mixing an antibody having the desired degree of purity with optional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980)), in the form of lyophilized formulations or aqueous solutions. Acceptable carriers, excipients, or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; preservatives (such as octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride; hexamethonium chloride; benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechol; resorcinol; cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol; and m-cresol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptides; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, histidine, arginine, or lysine; monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol; salt-forming counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN™, PLURONICS™ or polyethylene glycol (PEG).

The formulation herein may also contain more than one active compound as necessary, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. The type and effective amounts of such medicaments depend, for example, on the amount of antibody present in the formulation, and clinical parameters of the subjects. Exemplary such medicaments are discussed below.

The active ingredients may also be entrapped in microcapsules prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polymerization, for example, hydroxymethylcellulose or gelatin-microcapsules and poly-(methylmethacylate) microcapsules, respectively, in colloidal drug delivery systems (for example, liposomes, albumin microspheres, microemulsions, nano-particles and nanocapsules) or in macroemulsions. Such techniques are disclosed in Remington Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980).

Sustained-release preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semi-permeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the antibody, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g. films, or microcapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogels (for example, poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate), or poly(vinylalcohol)), polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic acid and γ ethyl-L-glutamate, non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate, degradable lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as the LUPRON DEPOT™ (injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.

The formulations to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes.

In one embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody-containing liquid formulation according to the present invention contains a high concentration of the anti-IL-6R antibody, preferably from 50 to 300 mg/mL, more preferably from 100 to 300 mg/mL, still more preferably from 120 to 250 mg/mL, and yet more preferably from 150 to 200 mg/mL, for example about 180 mg/mL, of the anti-IL-6R antibody.

In one embodiment, the formulation with high anti-IL-6R antibody concentration includes arginine and/or methionine as stabilizers or excipients in the formulation.

As the arginine used in the present invention, any of the arginine compound per se, derivatives thereof and salts thereof can be used. L-arginine and salts thereof are preferred. As the methionine used in the present invention, any of the methionine compound per se, derivatives thereof and salts thereof can be used. L-methionine and salts thereof are preferred. In cases where the antibody-containing liquid formulation according to the present invention contains arginine and does not contain methionine, the concentration of arginine is preferably 50 to 1500 mM, more preferably 100 to 1000 mM, still more preferably 200 to 700 mM. In cases where the antibody-containing liquid formulation according to the present invention contains arginine and methionine, the total concentration of arginine and methionine is preferably 50 to 1200 mM, for example, preferably, the arginine concentration is 40 to 1000 mM and the methionine concentration is 10 to 200 mM; more preferably, the arginine concentration is 50 to 700 mM and the methionine concentration is 10 to 100 mM; and still more preferably, the arginine concentration is 100 to 300 mM, and the methionine concentration is 10 to 50 mM.

The buffer solution is prepared using a buffering agent which is a substance for maintaining a pH of the solution. In a high concentration antibody-containing liquid formulation according to the present invention, a pH of the formulation is preferably 5 to 7, more preferably 5.5 to 6.5, and most preferably pH 6. A buffering agent which can be used in the present invention is one which can adjust the pH in this range and which is pharmaceutically acceptable. Such a buffering agent is known by those skilled in the art, and examples thereof include inorganic salts such as phosphoric acid salts (sodium or potassium) and sodium hydrogen carbonate; organic acid salts such as citric acid salts (sodium or potassium), sodium acetate and sodium succinate; and acids such as phosphoric acid, carbonic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid and gluconic acid. Further, Tris buffers, Good's buffers such as MES, MOPS and HEPES, histidine (e.g., histidine hydrochloric acid salt) and glycine can also be used. The buffer is preferably a histidine buffer or glycine buffer, and a histidine buffer is especially preferred. The concentration of the buffer solution is generally 1 to 500 mM, preferably 5 to 100 mM, still more preferably 10 to 20 mM. In cases where a histidine buffer is used, the buffer solution contains histidine at a concentration of preferably 5 to 25 mM, more preferably 10 to 20 mM.

The formulation according to the present invention can further contain a surfactant. Typical examples of the surfactant include nonionic surfactants, for example, sorbitan fatty acid esters such as sorbitan monocaprylate, sorbitan monolaurate and sorbitan monopalmitate; glycerin fatty acid esters such as glycerol monocaprylate, glycerol monomyristate and glycerol monostearate; polyglycerol fatty acid esters such as decaglyceryl monostearate, decaglyceryl distearate and decaglyceryl monolinoleate; polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylenesorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate; polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetrastearate and polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetra oleate; polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene glyceryl monostearate; polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters such as polyethylene glycol distearate; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether; polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol ether, polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene propyl ether and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene cetyl ether; polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers such as polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether; polyoxyethylene hardened castor oils such as polyoxyethylene castor oil and polyoxyethylene hardened castor oil (polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil); polyoxyethylene bees wax derivatives such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol bees wax; polyoxyethylene lanolin derivatives such as polyoxyethylene lanolin; surfactants having an HLB of 6 to 18 such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides, for example, polyoxyethylene octadecanamide; anionic surfactants, for example, alkyl sulfate salts having a C₁₀-C₁₈ alkyl group, such as sodium cetyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium oleyl sulfate; polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate salts in which the average number of moles of the added ethylene oxide units is 2 to 4 and the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group is 10 to 18, such as polyoxyethylene sodium lauryl sulfate; alkyl sulfosuccinate salts having a C₈-C₁₈ alkyl group, such as sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate; natural surfactants such as lecithin and glycerophospholipids; sphingophospholipids such as sphingomyelin; and sucrose esters of C₁₂-C₁₈ fatty acids. These surfactants can be added to the formulation of the present invention individually, or two or more of these surfactants can be added in combination.

Preferred surfactants are polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters and polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene alkyl ethers, and especially preferred are polysorbates 20, 21, 40, 60, 65, 80, 81 and 85, and Pluronic type surfactants, and most preferred are polysorbates 20 and 80, and Pluronic F-68 (Poloxamer 188).

The amount of the surfactant(s) to be added to the antibody formulation according to the present invention is generally 0.0001 to 10% (w/v), preferably 0.001 to 5%, more preferably 0.005 to 3%.

In one embodiment, the formulation according to the present invention comprises: (a) anti-IL-6 receptor antibody; (b) buffering agent(s) (e.g. histidine buffer); (c) one or more amino acids as stabilizers (e.g. arginine and/or methionine); and (d) one or more surfactant(s).

In one embodiment, the formulation additionally includes one or more hyaluronidases (e.g. rHuPH20) in an amount which allows the administration of higher volumes of drug product and/or for enhancing absorption of subcutaneously administered anti-IL-6R antibody into the systemic circulation of a patient treated with the formulation.

According to this embodiment of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising: an anti-IL-6R antibody (e.g. tocilizumab) in an amount from about 100 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL (e.g. 180 mg/mL), and hyaluronidase enzyme in an amount from about 1,400 to about 1,600 U/mL (e.g. about 1,500 U/mL). Preferably the composition further comprises a buffer (for instance, wherein the buffer is histidine, pH 5.5 to 6.5) and/or one or more stabilizers (for example, methionine, arginine, and polysorbate).

The concentration of the hyaluronidase enzyme in the formulation is provided in sufficient amount so that an increase in the dispersion and absorption of the co-administered anti-IL-6R antibody is achieved. The effective amount of the hyaluronidase enzyme is preferably about 1,000 to 16,000 U/ml, whereby the amount corresponds to about 0.01 mg to 0.15 mg protein based on an assumed specific activity of 100,000 U/mg. The preferred concentration of the hyaluronidase enzyme in the formulation is about 1,400 U/mL to 1,600 U/mL, most preferred is a concentration of about 1,500 U/mL.

The hyaluronidase enzyme may be derived from animals, human samples or manufactured based on recombinant DNA technology. Most preferred is recombinant human PH20 (rhPH20).

Preferably the formulation is isotonic.

IV. Therapeutic Uses of Anti-IL-6R Antibodies

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of treating an IL-6-mediated disorder in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose (e.g. every week, every two weeks, or every ten days).

Examples of IL-6-mediated disorders to be treated herein include: autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis, neoplasia, aging, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (including systemic JIA (sJIA) and polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA)), psoriatic arthritis, Castleman's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple myeloma, polymyalgia rheumatica, glomerulonephritis, plasmacytoma or plasmacytosis, myeloma (including multiple myeloma), hyperimmunoglobulinemia, anemia, nephritis (such as mesangium proliferative nephritis), cachexia (including cancerous cachexia), tumors, T cell mediated disease (e.g. uveitis, chronic thyroiditis, delayed hypersensitivity, contact dermatitis, or atopic dermatitis), lupus (including lupus nephritis and systemic lupus erythmatosus), inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis), pancreatitis, psoriasis, osteoarthritis, adult-onset Still's disease, mesothelioma, vasculitis, islet transplantation (e.g. pancreatic islet transplantation), myocardial infarction (heart failure, ischemia-induced severe arrhythmia), heart transplantation, prostate cancer, choroidal neovascularization (e.g. age-related macular degeneration, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization, cyopic choroidal neovascularization, idiopathic choroidal neovascularization), muscle atrophy, chronic rejection, ocular inflammatory disease (e.g. panuveitis, anterior aveitis, intermediate uveitis, scleritis, keratitis, orbital inflammation, optic neuritis, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, postoperative inflammation), graft versus host disease (GVHD), fibrotic disorders (such as systemic sclerosis), giant cell arteritis (GCA), ankylosing spondylitis, and Takayasu's arteritis (TA), arteritis nodosa, etc.

In one embodiment, the IL-6-mediated disorder is rheumatoid arthritis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is systemic JIA (sJIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is polyarticular course JIA (pcJIA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is systemic sclerosis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is giant cell arteritis (GCA).

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is psoriatic arthritis.

In one embodiment, the IL-6 mediated disorder is uveitis.

In one embodiment, the patient to be treated has rheumatoid arthritis, with such patients including DMARD-inadequate responder patients, TNF-inhibitor-inadequate responder patients, patients who are methotrexate (MTX) naive or have discontinued MTX, patients with active disease, patients with moderate-severe RA etc.

In one embodiment, the method comprises treating rheumatoid arthritis in a patient by subcutaneously administering tociluzumab to the patient, wherein the tociliuzmab is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose every week or every two weeks. Optionally, the patient is additionally treated with one or more non-biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate etc.

The invention also concerns a method of inhibiting progression of structural joint damage in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patient by subcutaneously administering a fixed dose of 162 mg of an anti-IL-6R antibody to the patient every two weeks. According to this method, structural joint damage can be assessed at week 24 (or 6 months) and/or week 48 (or 1 year) and found to be inhibited (e.g. relative to a patient not treated with the anti-IL-6R antibody).

The invention additionally provides a method of treating an IL-6-mediated disorder (such as RA) in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6R antibody (e.g. tocilizumab) and a hyaluronidase enzyme (e.g., rhPH20) to a patient, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 324 mg per dose or 648 mg per dose. Preferably, the fixed dose is administered every four weeks or once a month. Optionally, the anti-IL-6R antibody and hyaluronidase enzyme are co-formulated or combined into a single pharmaceutical composition which is subcutaneously administered to the patient.

According to the present invention, the anti-IL-6R antibody may be administered with a hyaluronidase enzyme, such as rHuPH20. The final dose of the rHuPH20 depends on the volume of formulation administered. Exemplary doses of the hyaluronidase administered are in the range from 1,000 to 10,000 U, e.g. about 1,350 U, about 2,700 U, or about 5,400 U. For example, 1,350 U of rHuPH20 is administered in 0.9 mL; 2,700 U of rHuPH20 in 1.8 mL; or 5,400 U of rHuPH20 in 3.6 mL. The anti-IL-6R antibody and hyaluronidase enzyme may be administered concurrently or sequentially, in the same, or separate formulations. Preferably the antibody and enzyme are co-formulated and administered concurrently, e.g. via a single SC administration device.

In one embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody (e.g. tocilizumab) is subcutaneously administered to a patient with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in an amount effective to treat the JIA.

In one embodiment, the patient has systemic JIA (sJIA). Such sJIA patient is optionally treated with 162 mg of the antibody (e.g. of tocilizumab) every week if the patient's weight is ≧30 kilograms, and with 162 mg of the antibody (e.g. of tociliumab) every 10 (±1) days if the patient's weight is <30 kilograms. In an alternative embodiment, the sJIA patient whose weight is <30 kilograms is treated with 162 mg of the antibody (e.g. of tocilizumab) every week or every two weeks. In yet another embodiment, the sJIA patient whose weight is <30 kilograms is treated with 108 mg of the antibody (e.g. of tocilizumab) every week.

In another embodiment, the patient has polyarticular course (pcJIA). Such patient is optionally treated with 162 mg of the antibody (e.g. of tocilizumab) every two weeks.

In another embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody is subcutaneously administered to a patient with a fibrotic disease (such as systemic sclerosis) in an amount effective to treat the fibrotic disease. Where the disorder is systemic sclerosis, the treatment optionally improves cutaneous sclerosis (e.g. as assessed by modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS)), improves physical function (e.g. as assessed by Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI)), and/or slows progression of organ damage, relative to placebo. For treatment of fibrotic disease, such as systemic sclerosis, the antibody (e.g. tocilizumab) is optionally administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose, for instance every week, or every two weeks.

In a further embodiment, the anti-IL-6R antibody is subcutaneously administered to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA) in an amount effective to treat the GCA. Optionally, the antibody is administered to the GCA patient as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose (e.g. every week. or every two weeks). The GCA patient optionally is further treated with an initial (short) course or corticosteroid. Such treatment of GCA may reduce signs and symptoms of GCA, maintain clinical remission, and/or reduce or stop corticosteroid use in the GCA patient. The GCA herein includes new onset GCA and refractory GCA, optionally in adult patients.

In one embodiment of all the methods herein, no other medicament than the anti-IL-6R antibody (optionally co-formulated with the hyaluronidase enzyme) is administered to the subject to treat the IL-6-mediated disorder.

In another embodiment of any of the methods herein, one may administer to the subject along with the anti-IL-6R antibody an effective amount of one or more additional drug that treats the disorder. The additional drug may be one or more medicaments, and include, for example, immunosuppressive agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), methotrexate (MTX), anti-B-cell surface marker antibodies, anti-CD20 antibodies, rituximab, TNF-inhibitors, corticosteroids, and co-stimulatory modifiers, or any combination thereof.

Examples of such additional drugs include an immunosuppressive agent (such as mitoxantrone (NOVANTRONE®), methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, leflunomide, and azathioprine), intravenous immunoglobulin (gamma globulin), lymphocyte-depleting therapy (e.g., mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, CAMPATH™ antibodies, anti-CD4, cladribine, a polypeptide construct with at least two domains comprising a de-immunized, autoreactive antigen or its fragment that is specifically recognized by the Ig receptors of autoreactive B-cells (WO 2003/68822), total body irradiation, bone marrow transplantation), integrin antagonist or antibody (e.g., an LFA-1 antibody such as efalizumab/RAPTIVA® commercially available from Genentech, or an alpha 4 integrin antibody such as natalizumab/ANTEGREN® available from Biogen, or others as noted above), steroid such as corticosteroid (e.g., prednisolone, methylprednisolone such as SOLU-MEDROL™ methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection, prednisone such as low-dose prednisone, dexamethasone, or glucocorticoid, e.g., via joint injection, including systemic corticosteroid therapy), non-lymphocyte-depleting immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., MMF or cyclosporine), cholesterol-lowering drug of the “statin” class (which includes cerivastatin (BAYCOL™), fluvastatin (LESCOL™), atorvastatin (LIPITOR™), lovastatin (MEVACOR™), pravastatin (PRAVACHOL™), and simvastatin (ZOCOR™)), estradiol, testosterone (optionally at elevated dosages; Stuve et al. Neurology 8:290-301 (2002)), androgen, hormone-replacement therapy, a TNF inhibitor such as an antibody to TNF-alpha, DMARD, NSAID, plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (BACTRIM™, SEPTRA™), mycophenolate mofetil, H2-blockers or proton-pump inhibitors (during the use of potentially ulcerogenic immunosuppressive therapy), levothyroxine, cyclosporin A (e.g. SANDIMMUNE®), somatastatin analogue, a DMARD or NSAID, cytokine antagonist such as antibody, anti-metabolite, immunosuppressive agent, rehabilitative surgery, radioiodine, thyroidectomy, BAFF antagonist such as BAFF or BR3 antibodies or immunoadhesins, anti-CD40 receptor or anti-CD40 ligand (CD154), B-cell antagonists or antibodies, including anti-CD20 antibodies such as rituximab or ofatumumab; IL-1 blockers, such as rHUIL-1Ra (Anakira, Amgen-Synergen) and tiaprofenic acid I-1B inhibitor (Hoechst); and co-stimulatory modifiers, such as CTLA-4-Ig fusion protein ORENCIA® (abatacept) (Bristol-Myers Squibb); enlimomab (anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody); CDO-855 (humanized antibody, which binds specifically to a region of the Class II MHC complex, Celltech); CH-3298 (Chiroscience); acemetacin (Merck); GW353430 (anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, Glaxo Wellcome); GR 252025 (COX02 inhibitor, Glaxo Wellcome); 4162W94 (anti-CD4 humanized antibody; Glaxo Wellcome); azathioprine (DMARD, Glaxo Welcome); penicilamine and fenoprofen (Eli Lilly); etc.

Optionally, the second or additional drug is selected from the group consisting of non-biological DMARDS, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids.

These additional drugs as set forth herein are generally used in the same dosages and with administration routes as used hereinbefore or about from 1 to 99% of the heretofore-employed dosages. If such additional drugs are used at all, preferably, they are used in lower amounts than if the first medicament were not present, especially in subsequent dosings beyond the initial dosing with the first medicament, so as to eliminate or reduce side effects caused thereby.

The combined administration of an additional drug includes co-administration (concurrent administration), using separate formulations or a single pharmaceutical formulation, and consecutive administration in either order, wherein preferably there is a time period while both (or all) active agents (medicaments) simultaneously exert their biological activities.

In one embodiment, before or after the SC doses are administered, the patient may be treated with anti-IL-6R antibody which is administered IV.

V. Articles of Manufacture

In another embodiment of the invention, articles of manufacture containing materials useful for the treatment of IL-6-mediated disorders described above are provided. The invention, in particular, provides an article of manufacture comprising a subcutaneous administration device, which delivers to a patient a fixed dose of an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody, wherein the fixed dose is selected from the group consisting of 162 mg, 324 mg, and 648 mg of the anti-IL-6R antibody. Preferably the anti-IL-6R antibody is tocilizumab. Preferably, the concentration of the antibody in the device is from 150 to 200 mg/mL, for example 180 mg/mL. The antibody in the syringe is preferably formulated in a buffer (e.g. histidine, pH 6) and other excipients (such as methionine, arginine, and polysorbate) such that it is provided in a stable pharmaceutical formulation in the syringe. Optionally, a hyaluronidase, such as rHuPH20, is included in the formulation, for example, in an amount from about 1,400 U/mL to about 1,600 U/mL (e.g. about 1,500 U/mL). Optionally, the device delivers 0.9 mL, 1.8 mL, or 3.6 mL of the formulation to a subject.

Devices suitable for SC delivery include: a syringe (including a pre-filled syringe); an injection device (e.g. the INJECT-EASE™ and GENJECT™ device); an infusion pump (such as e.g. Accu-Chek™); an injector pen (such as the GENPEN™); a needleless device (e.g. MEDDECTOR™ and BIOJECTOR™); an autoinjector, a subcutaneous patch delivery system, etc.

The article of manufacture optionally further comprises a package insert with instructions for treating an IL-6-mediated disorder (e.g. RA) in a subject, wherein the instructions indicate that treatment with the antibody as disclosed herein treats the IL-6-mediated disorder, and optionally inhibits progression of structural joint damage (e.g. in a RA patient).

Further details of the invention are illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples. The disclosures of all citations in the specification are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLE 1 Clinical Studies Identifying Fixed Dose of Anti-IL-6R Antibody for Subcutaneous (SC) Administration

The selection of 162 mg anti-IL-6R antibody (tocilizumab, TCZ) subcutaneously administered every week (SC QW) was based on results from four phase ½ studies, including two phase 1 studies in healthy subjects (WP18097 and BP22065), one phase ½ study in Japanese RA patients (MRA227), and one phase 1b study in Caucasian RA patients (NP22623). Further details regarding these SC studies and the four studies from which data are drawn for comparison are provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Clinical Pharmacology Studies Following SC Administration of TCZ in Healthy Subjects and RA Patients Study No. TCZ Treatment/ Country Objectives Design and Population Dose Duration Sample Size Status WP18097 PK from a pilot SC Single center, single- Group 1: 160 mg Single dose, PK N = 20 total and Completed France formulation, blind, placebo- SC sampling up to Day 14, n = 12 for SC absolute controlled, randomized, Group 2: 160 mg one-week follow-up. group and 8 for bioavailability, 2 groups study in IV TCZ antibody at IV group tolerability and Healthy Volunteers baseline, day 14 and immunogenicity follow-up BP22065 PK, PD, safety, Open-label, single- SC injection in Single dose for each N = 48 total and Completed UK tolerability, center study to abdominal region: group, PK and PD n = 12 for each immunogenicity and characterize the PK and Group 1: 162 mg sampling up to Day 25, group absolute PD of TCZ following Group 2: 81 mg one week follow up. bioavailability single dose IV infusion: TCZ antibody at using SC administration by SC Group 3: 162 mg baseline, day 25 and formulation of and IV routes to Group 4: 81 mg follow-up TCZ Healthy Volunteers NP22623 PK, PD, safety, Open label, multicenter, Group 1: TCZ 162 12 weeks of treatment. N = 29 total and 29 enrolled, study Spain, New immunogenicity and randomized, parallel mg QW PK/PD sampling from n = 14 for TCZ ongoing Zealand, and efficacy study in RA patients Group 2: 162 mg baseline to the end of QW and n = 15 Preliminary data Canada TCZ Q2W in study. Patients have for TCZ Q2W summary for combination with option to be rolled over efficacy and safety MTX in patients to a provisional care are available with active RA program for one year treatment (8 mg/kg IV) MRA227 PK, PD, safety, Combined single- and Group 1: TCZ 81 Single dose in Group 1 N = 32 total 32 enrolled, study Japan immunogenicity and multi-dosing study in mg single dose and 2 is followed by 3 n = 8 in Group 1 ongoing efficacy RA patients. 3 Groups. followed by Q2W weeks PK and PD and n = 12 each Preliminary data Dose escalation is Group 2: TCZ 162 sampling for Groups 2 and summary for based on the safety and mg single dose Multi-dosing for all 3 3 PK/PD/efficacy efficacy from previous followed by Q2W groups is for 3 doses (6 and for safety are group. Group3: TCZ 162 weeks for Q2W and 3 available mg QW weeks for QW) followed by 24 weeks of extension

These studies used a TCZ formulation with 180 mg/mL TCZ and no hyaluronidase (see Table 2 in Example 4).

In the Japanese RA study MRA227, all (32) patients were randomized into one of 3 study arms: 81 mg SC Q2W/QW, 162 mg SC Q2W, and 162 mg SC QW. In the Caucasian RA study NP22623, a total of 29 patients were randomized into one of 2 treatment arms: 162 mg SC Q2W (N=15) and 162 mg SC QW (N=14).

The observed data from the two RA patient studies form the primary basis on which the dose rationale has been built.

The selection of this 162 mg QW dose regimen was driven by three key elements:

-   -   The sIL-6R-bound TCZ complex (PD biomarker of TCZ mechanism of         action; Nishimoto et al., Blood 112(10):3959-3964 (2008)         increases more rapidly and to a greater magnitude for 162 mg QW         than for other SC dose regimens tested (FIG. 1)     -   CRP is reduced more rapidly and consistently with the 162 mg QW         than with the other SC dose regimens tested (FIG. 2)     -   The safety profile for the SC treatment arms do not appear to be         different from each other or from 8 mg/kg IV Q4W.         -   In general, the SC dose regimens tested have been well             tolerated in the MRA227 and NP22623 studies.         -   Notably there have been no deaths and only one SAE             (pyelonephritis) in the SC treatment arms.         -   Given that mean exposure (AUC, C_(max)) is generally higher             for 8 mg/kg IV Q4W than for any of the SC dose regimens, the             safety profile for 162 mg QW is expected to be similar to             that of 8 mg/kg IV (FIG. 4).             sIL-6R

FIG. 1 demonstrates sIL-6R profiles following both SC and IV regimens. sIL-6R profiles for RA patients receiving 162 mg QW most closely mirrors that observed with 8 mg/kg IV Q4W, both with respect to the rapidity and magnitude of rise. The other dose regimens (81 mg Q2W/QW or 162 mg Q2W) tested did not reach levels comparable to 8 mg/kg IV Q4W.

CRP

FIG. 2 displays the CRP profile following the 162 mg SC QW and 8 mg/kg IV Q4W dose regimens in RA patients. 162 mg QW has the most rapid and sustained reduction of CRP levels of the SC dose regimens tested.

DAS28-ESR

Disease activity (as measured by DAS28-ESR) appears to decrease from baseline more rapidly and to a greater magnitude with the 162 mg SC QW as compared to the other SC dose regimens tested (FIG. 3).

Safety: Observed Data

No deaths and only one SAE (pyelonephritis in the 81 mg dose group) have been reported in the 4 TCZ SC studies. AEs observed following single or multiple SC doses for either healthy subjects or RA patients were generally consistent with the types and severity of AEs observed in Phase 3 RA IV studies. Data from NP22623 did not demonstrate different AE profiles between the 162 mg QW and Q2W dose groups. The magnitude of mean changes in laboratory values for both Japanese RA and Caucasian RA patients receiving SC TCZ resembled that of RA patients from the IV program. One Japanese RA patient who received 162 mg QW experienced neutropenia and the dose was reduced to 162 mg Q2W. One patient who received 81 mg Q2W experienced neutropenia and was not dosed further when switched to 81 mg QW at week 11. The SC injection was generally well tolerated. The SC injection was not perceived as more painful than the subcutaneous placebo injection.

In study MRA227, none of the patients tested positive for anti-TCZ antibodies from the 162 mg QW group. Four patients from the lower dose groups were anti-TCZ antibody positive (all from the 81 mg QW/Q2W dose group, one patient prior to TCZ administration); five patients were anti-TCZ IgE antibody positive (3 patients in the 81 mg Q2W/QW dose group and 2 patients in the 162 mg Q2W dose group). Among those with positive antibody tests, the patient positive at baseline experienced grade 1 eczema which was considered as unrelated (food allergy), one patient experienced grade 1 urticaria, and another patient experienced injection site bruising. No other AEs were reported in the “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue” and “General Disorders and administration site conditions” classes in patients who tested positive for anti-TCZ antibodies.

PK-Safety Relationship

On visual inspection of steady state PK profiles between SC and IV regimens from study MRA227 and LRO301, respectively, there appears to be in general higher exposure (mean AUC, C_(max)) with the 8 mg/kg IV regimen as compared to the 162 mg QW SC regimen (FIG. 4). The exception is the mean C_(trough) for which the 162 mg QW regimen results in a higher level than for the 8 mg/kg IV regimen (26±15 μg/mL at week 15 and 16±11 μg/mL at week 16, respectively). Other lower dose groups did not achieve C_(trough) concentrations similar to 8 mg/kg IV at steady state. Inter-subject variability for C_(trough) for the 162 mg SC regimen is high (58%). It is anticipated that since the exposure is generally higher for the 8 mg/kg IV Q4W dose regimens than any of the SC dose regimens, the safety profile for 162 mg SC QW would be similar to that of 8 mg/kg IV Q4W.

A single fixed dose (162 mg QW dose) is administered for all RA patients, irrespective of body weight. This approach is supported by the fact that even after accounting for differences in exposure that could result from the full range of body weights on a fixed dose, the highest exposure for all 3 categories (C_(max), C_(trough) and AUC) with the 162 mg QW dose regimen that has been observed is within the range that has been described for the IV program.

Additionally this approach is supported by analyses of safety data (SAEs, AEs, laboratory) from the IV program. There is no apparent relationship between TCZ exposure and the occurrence of adverse events by class and especially for the most frequent adverse events in the “Infections and Infestations” and “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue” classes. There is no apparent relationship between exposure of TCZ and the occurrence of serious adverse events. Except for neutropenia, there was no obvious increase in the frequency of laboratory abnormalities with increasing exposure. A slightly greater proportion of patients experienced Grade 3 or higher events of neutropenia in the higher TCZ exposure categories. In addition, there were single Grade 3 events of thrombocytopenia in the higher TCZ exposure categories. With respect to triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels, a slightly greater proportion of patients developed an increase in levels in the higher TCZ exposure categories. Taken altogether, these data suggest that use of a fixed dose regimen is acceptable.

In summary, the 162 mg SC QW dose regimen has been selected on the basis of: 1) sIL-6R-bound TCZ complex for 162 mg SC QW increased more rapidly and to a greater magnitude for 162 mg SC QW, most similar to 8 mg/kg IV Q4W of the dose regimens tested; 2) CRP is reduced more rapidly and consistently with the 162 mg SC QW than the other SC dose regimens tested; 3) the safety profile for the SC treatment arms do not appear to be different from each other or from 8 mg/kg IV Q4W; and 4) given that the total exposure for 8 mg/kg IV Q4W is generally higher than for any of the SC dose regimens tested, the safety profile for 162 mg SC QW should be similar to 8 mg/kg IV Q4W.

EXAMPLE 2 Clinical Study of SC Anti-IL-6 Receptor Antibody in RA

This is a Phase 3, 2-arm, 2-year, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active controlled, parallel group multicentre trial in patients with moderate to severe, active RA who currently have an inadequate response to a stable dose of DMARDs that may include one or more anti-TNF biological agent. The primary endpoint will be evaluated at 24 weeks. The overall design of this example is shown in FIG. 5. The formulation is that as in Example 1.

The screening visit can occur up to 21 days (or up to 56 days if a washout period is required for longer than 21 days) prior to the baseline randomization visit. Patient eligibility will be determined at the screening and baseline visits, at which time the patient will be randomized. The number of patients that have failed previous anti-TNF treatment will be limited to approximately 20% of the total study population.

Inclusion Criteria

-   1. Age ≧18 years -   2. Rheumatoid arthritis of ≧6 months duration, diagnosed according     to the revised 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR; formerly     American Rheumatism Association) criteria -   3. Swollen joint count (SJC)≧4 (66 joint count) and tender joint     count (TJC)≧4 (68 joint count) at screening and baseline. -   4. Prior to randomization, will have discontinued etanercept for ≧2     weeks, infliximab, certolizumab, golimumab, abatacept or adalimumab     for ≧8 weeks, anakinra for ≧1 week. -   5. Have received permitted DMARDs at a stable dose for at least 8     weeks prior to baseline. -   6. At screening either CRP≧1 mg/dL (10 mg/L) or ESR≧28 mm/hr. -   7. Oral corticosteroids (≦10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) and     NSAIDs (up to the maximum recommended dose) are permitted if on a     stable dose regimen for ≧4 weeks prior to baseline.

In the double-blind period, at baseline visit, patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TCZ 162 mg SC weekly and placebo IV Q4W (Group A), or TCZ 8 mg/kg IV Q4W with placebo SC QW (Group B) for 24 weeks. The primary analysis will occur when all patients reach Week 24.

At Week 24, all patients will be re-randomized for the open-label period as follows:

-   -   Group A: patients will be re-randomized in an 11:1 ratio to         receive TCZ 162 mg SC weekly (group A1), or 8 mg/kg IV every         four weeks (group A2).     -   Group B: patients will be re-randomized in a 2:1 ratio to         receive 8 mg/kg IV every four weeks (group B1), or TCZ 162 mg SC         weekly (group B2).

Prior to the first dose of double-blind study medication (baseline visit), patient-reported outcomes and efficacy assessments should be performed within 24 hours (up to 72 hours will be allowed when necessary). There will be a one-week dose interruption period between Week 24 and 25 before the first treatment for the open-label period at Week 25.

The efficacy parameters will be assessed at baseline, Week 2, Week 4 and then every 4 weeks up to Week 24 and then Week 37, 49, 73 and 97 or early withdraw (WD) visit.

Each treatment group is allowed background therapy with non-biological DMARD(s), corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs that were initiated prior to the start of dosing with TCZ. Dosages of NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and non-biological DMARDs should remain stable during the core study period (up to Week 24). However, reductions in these treatments will be allowed if required for safety reasons.

Assessment of Efficacy

ACR20

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) core set of outcome measures and their definition of improvement includes a ≧20% improvement compared to baseline in both SJC and TJC as well as in 3 out of 5 additional parameters: physician's global assessment of disease activity, patient's global assessment of disease activity, patient's assessment of pain, HAQ, and acute phase reactant (either CRP or ESR).

Achievement of an ACR50 requires a ≧50% improvement in the same parameters and an ACR70 requires a ≧70% improvement.

Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28)-ESR

The DAS28 is a combined index for measuring disease activity in RA. The index includes swollen and tender joint counts, acute phase response (ESR or CRP), and general health status. For this study ESR will be used to calculate the DAS28 score. The index is calculated using the following formula: DAS28=0.56×√(TJC28)+0.28×√(SJC28)+0.36×ln(ESR+1)+0.014×GH+0.96

Where, TJC28=tender joint count on 28 joints, SJC28=swollen joint count on 28 joints, ln=natural log, ESR=Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (mm/hr), and GH=general health, i.e., patient's global assessment of disease activity (100-mm VAS). The DAS28 scale ranges from 0 to 10, where higher scores represent higher disease activity.

ACR-Hybrid

ACR-hybrid is a measure that combines the percent improvement of ACR core parameters with the status of ACR20, ACR50 or ACR70.

It is anticipated that treatment with 162 mg TCZ given subcutaneously (SC) weekly as disclosed in this example will have comparable safety and efficacy as compared to 8 mg/kg TCZ given intravenously (IV) every 4 weeks based on any one or more of the above efficacy criteria.

EXAMPLE 3 Anti-IL-6R Antibody SC for Inhibiting Progression of Joint Damage

This is a Phase 3, 2-arm, 2-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group multicenter trial in patients with moderate to severe, active RA who currently have an inadequate response to DMARD(s) that may include one or more anti-TNF-α agent. The primary endpoint will be evaluated at Week 24.

The overall design is shown in FIG. 6. The screening visit can occur up to 21 days (or up to 56 days if a washout period is required for longer than 21 days) prior to the baseline randomization visit. Patient eligibility will be determined at the screening and baseline visits. At baseline, patients will be randomized. The number of patients that have failed previous anti-TNF-α treatment will be limited to approximately 20% of the total study population. The formulation is that as in Example 1. The formulation is administered using a pre-filled syringe (PFS) or auto-injector (AI) device.

TCZ Q2W Dosing

In this study, 162 mg of TCZ is administered every 2 weeks (Q2W) rather than every week (QW). Compared with the response seen with 162 mg SC QW, 162 mg SC Q2W appears to be a lower SC dose option that, as described below, increases sIL-6R-bound TCZ complex, achieves CRP normalization and results in a DAS-ESR reduction from baseline. Further, the PD responses and the preliminary efficacy readout for the 162 mg SC Q2W regimen are superior to other lower SC regimens tested (81 mg Q2W/QW).

-   -   The sIL-6R Complex which is a PD biomarker of TCZ mechanism of         action increases with 162 mg SC Q2W less than with 162 mg SC QW         but increases to a greater magnitude as compared to other lower         SC regimens (81 mg Q2W/QW) (FIG. 1)     -   CRP normalization is reached with 162 mg SC Q2W; lower SC         regimens did not result in CRP normalization (FIG. 2)     -   Disease activity score DAS28-ECR appears to decrease from         baseline to a greater magnitude with 162 mg SC QW and 162 mg SC         Q2W as compared to the other SC dose regimens tested (81 mg SC         Q2W/QW). (FIG. 3)         Safety:

Based on available observed safety data, the safety profile for the SC treatment arms do not appear to be different from each other or from the IV program.

-   -   162 mg SC QW and Q2W have been well tolerated in MRA227 and         NP22623 studies.     -   There have been no deaths in any of the SC treatment arms. One         SAE of pyelonephritis occurred in the 81 mg SC dose group.     -   Given that mean exposure (AUC, C_(max), C_(trough)) is generally         higher for the 8 mg/kg IV dose than for 162 mg SC Q2W, the         safety profile for 162 mg SC Q2W is expected to be similar to         the IV program (FIG. 4).         sIL-6R Complex

The sIL-6R-bound TCZ complex is a PD biomarker of TCZ mechanism of action. FIG. 1 demonstrates sIL-6R profiles following both SC and IV regimens. sIL-6R profiles for RA patients receiving 162 mg SC QW most closely mirrors that observed with 8 mg/kg IV q4w, both with respect to the rapidity and magnitude of rise. The other dose regimens (81 mg Q2W/QW and 162 mg Q2W) tested did not reach levels comparable to 8 mg/kg IV q4w. The dose of 162 mg every other week (Q2W) shows a response that is lower than what is seen with 162 mg QW and 8 mg/kg IV. sIL-6R complex increases to a greater magnitude with 162 mg SC Q2W than with other lower SC regimens tested and with 4 mg/kg IV.

CRP

FIG. 2 displays the CRP profile following both SC and IV dose regimens in RA patients. 162 mg SC QW has the most rapid and sustained reduction of CRP levels of the SC dose regimens tested. Among lower SC regimens, CRP normalization is reached with 162 mg SC Q2W (please note that in MRA227, patients were given a single dose (SD) on week 0 followed by multiple dosing starting on week 3; dose was switched from 81 mg Q2W to QW at week 9, see FIG. 2). Lower SC regimens (81 mg QW/Q2W) did not seem to result in CRP normalization. Therefore, 162 mg SC Q2W appears to be a lower SC dose option resulting in CRP normalization.

DAS28-ESR

FIG. 3 displays the DAS28-ESR change following both SC and IV dose regimens in RA patients. Although DAS28-ESR data for SC regimens are limited, disease activity appears to decrease from baseline more rapidly and to a greater magnitude with 162 mg SC QW and 162 mg SC Q2W as compared to the other SC dose regimens tested (81 mg SC Q2W/QW) (FIG. 3). Compared with the response seen with 162 mg SC QW, 162 mg SC Q2W appears to be a lower SC dose option that achieves a DAS-ESR reduction from baseline.

PK & PK-Safety Relationship

Following multiple dose administration of TCZ to RA patients (MRA227), mean exposure (AUC, C_(max), C_(trough) 1 is generally higher for the 4 & 8 mg/kg IV q4w dose than for 162 mg SC Q2W, with the exception of the C_(trough) level for 4 mg/kg IV q4w which is lower than the C_(trough) observed with 162 mg SC Q2W (FIG. 4). The safety profile for the IV program has been extensively studied. Taken altogether and compared to 162 mg SC QW, the dose of 162 mg SC Q2W appears to be a lower SC dose option with an acceptable safety profile based on drug exposure.

Mean exposure (AUC, C_(max), C_(trough)) is generally higher for the 4 & 8 mg/kg IV q4w dose than for 162 mg SC Q2W, with the exception of the C_(trough) level for 4 mg/kg IV q4w which is lower than the C_(trough) observed with 162 mg SC Q2W (FIG. 4). The safety profile for the IV program has been extensively studied. Taken altogether and compared to 162 mg SC QW, the dose of 162 mg SC Q2W appears to be a lower SC dose option with an acceptable safety profile based on drug exposure.

A single fixed dose (162 mg SC Q2W and 162 mg SC QW for escape therapy) will be administered for all RA patients, irrespective of body weight. This approach is supported by the fact that even after accounting for differences in exposure that could result from the full range of body weights on a fixed dose, the highest exposure defined by 3 parameters (C_(max), C_(trough) and AUC) with the 162 mg SC QW and Q2W dose regimen that has been observed or predicted is within the range that has been described for the IV program. Additionally this approach is supported by analyses of safety data (SAEs, AEs, laboratory) from the IV program. There is no apparent relationship between TCZ exposure and the occurrence of adverse events by class, especially for the most frequent adverse events in the “Infections and Infestations” and “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue” classes. There is no apparent relationship between exposure of TCZ and the occurrence of serious adverse events. Except for neutropenia, there was no obvious increase in the frequency of laboratory abnormalities with increasing exposure; a slightly greater proportion of patients experienced Grade 3 or higher events of neutropenia in the higher TCZ exposure categories. In addition, there were single Grade 3 events of thrombocytopenia in the higher TCZ exposure categories. With respect to triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels, a slightly greater proportion of patients developed an increase in levels in the higher TCZ exposure categories. Taken altogether, these data suggest that use of a fixed dose regimen is acceptable. The effect of body weight on PK will be further assessed in this study.

Observed Safety Data from SC Studies in RA Patients (MRA227 and NP22623)

All (32) patients have enrolled in the MRA227 study and 29 patients have enrolled in the NP22623 study and received TCZ SC treatments including 81 mg QW/Q2W (MRA227 only), 162 mg Q2W and 162 mg QW. The subcutaneous administrations have been well tolerated in RA patients up to 33 weeks in the MRA227 study and up to 12 weeks in the NP22623 study. AEs observed following administration of SC doses in RA patients were generally consistent with the types and severity of those observed in the TCZ IV Phase 3 studies.

No deaths have been reported in the 4 SC TCZ studies. One SAE of pyelonephritis was reported in the 81 mg dose group. Limited data from NP22623 did not demonstrate different AE profiles between the 162 mg SC QW and Q2W dose groups. The magnitude of mean changes in laboratory values for both Japanese RA and Caucasian RA patients receiving SC TCZ resembled that of RA patients from the IV program. One Japanese RA patient who received 162 mg SC QW experienced neutropenia and the dose was reduced to 162 mg SC Q2W. One patient who received 81 mg SC Q2W experienced neutropenia and was not dosed further at week 11. The SC TCZ injection was generally well tolerated and not perceived as more painful than the SC placebo injection.

In study MRA227, none of the patients from the 162 mg QW group tested positive for anti-TCZ antibodies. Four patients from the lower dose group were anti-TCZ antibody positive (all from the 81 mg QW/Q2W dose group, one patient prior to TCZ administration); five patients were anti-TCZ IgE antibody positive (3 patients in the 81 mg Q2W/QW dose group and 2 patients in the 162 mg Q2W dose group). Among those with positive antibody tests, the patient positive at baseline experienced grade 1 eczema which was considered as unrelated (food allergy), one patient experienced grade 1 urticaria, and another patient experienced injection site bruising. No other AEs were reported in the “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue” and “General Disorders and administration site conditions” classes in patients who tested positive for anti-TCZ antibodies. In NP22623, three patients tested anti-TCZ antibody positive with the screening assay, but none were positive with the confirmatory assay.

Summary

Previously, TCZ 162 mg SC weekly (QW) was selected as a comparator dose regimen for TCZ 8 mg/kg IV q4w. Of the remaining SC doses tested, observed PK, PD, efficacy, and safety data from RA patients demonstrate that 162 mg SC every other week (Q2W) is an appropriate lower SC dose option for this study NA25220B.

At the baseline visit, patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either TCZ 162 mg SC Q2W (group A), or placebo SC Q2W (group B) for 24 weeks. The primary analysis will occur when all patients have reached Week 24.

Starting from Week 24, all patients will receive open-label treatment with TCZ 162 mg SC Q2W and no patient will receive placebo injection.

In addition, at the Week 24 visit, patients will be re-randomized for the open-label period as follows:

-   -   Group A: patients will be re-randomized at a 1:1 ratio to         receive TCZ 162 mg SC every other week, either using         autoinjector (AI) (group A1) or pre-filled syringe (PFS) (group         A2).     -   Group B: patients will be re-randomized at a 1:1 ratio to         receive TCZ 162 mg SC every other week, either using AI (group         B1) or PFS (group B2).

Prior to the first dose of double-blind study medication (baseline visit), patient-reported outcomes and efficacy assessments should be performed within 24 hours (up to 72 hours will be allowed when necessary).

Efficacy parameters will be assessed at baseline, Week 2, Week 4 and then every 4 weeks up to Week 40 and then Week 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 or early withdraw (WD) visit.

Separate radiographs of each hand and foot will be taken at screening, Weeks 24 and 48.

Treatment Groups

The individual treatment groups are:

Group A: ˜400 patients, TCZ 162 mg SC Q2W using PFS in the 24-week double-blind period, and then re-randomized to:

-   -   Group A1: ˜200 patients, TCZ 162 mg SC q2w, using AI in the         open-label period.     -   Group A2: ˜200 patients, TCZ 162 mg SC q2w, using PFS in the         open-label period.         Group B: ˜200 patients, placebo SC Q2W using PFS in the 24-week         double-blind period, and then re-randomized to:     -   Group B1: ˜100 patients, TCZ 162 mg SC q2w, using AI in the         open-label period.     -   Group B2: ˜100 patients, TCZ 162 mg SC q2w, using PFS in the         open-label period.

Patients, site personnel, and sponsor will not know whether TCZ or placebo is received in the double-blind period until all patients have completed the double-blind treatment period at Week 24 and all data for all patients up to that time point have been collected, locked and reported.

Each treatment group is required to receive background therapy with non-biological DMARD(s) that are initiated and at a stable dose 8 weeks prior to the first dosing of TCZ. Dosages of non-biological DMARDs, NSAIDs and corticosteroids should remain stable during the core study period (up to Week 248). Dosage of NSAIDs should remain stable up to week 24. However, reductions in these treatments will be allowed if required for safety reasons. Patients may also receive intra-articular steroids and/or an increase in oral corticosteroid dosage (maximum dose of 10 mg total dose/day). Primary and Secondary Study Endpoints Primary Endpoints The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with an ACR20 response at Week 24. Secondary Endpoints

Excluding the change from baseline in van der Heijde modified Sharp radiographic score to Week 48 all secondary endpoints will be formally tested. To ensure the alpha level is maintained at 5%, the secondary endpoints will be tested using a pre-specified fixed sequence method. This method will be described in detail in the DAP.

-   1. Change from baseline* in the van der Heijde modified Sharp     radiographic score to Week 24. -   2. Change from baseline* in the van der Heijde modified Sharp     radiographic score to Week 48. -   3. Proportion of Patients with ACR50 responses at Week 24. -   4. Proportion of Patients with ACR70 responses at Week 24. -   5. Mean changes from baseline in the individual parameters of the     ACR core set Week 24. -   6. Major clinical response (ACR70 response maintained over 24 weeks     of treatment) at Week 48. -   7. Change in Disease Activity Score (DAS28) from baseline at Week     24. -   8. Change from baseline in HAQ-DI at Week 24. -   9. Proportion of Patients classified as Categorical DAS28 responders     (EULAR response) at Week 24. -   10. Proportion of patients achieving DAS28 low disease activity     (DAS≦3.2) at Week 24. -   11. Proportion of patients with change from baseline in HAQ≧0.3 at     Week 24. -   12. Proportion of patients with DAS28 score <2.6 (DAS remission) at     Week 24. -   13. Change in SF-36 subscale and summary scores from baseline to     Week 24. -   14. Time to onset of ACR20, 50, 70 by treatment group. -   15. Change from baseline in haemoglobin level at Week 24. *The     assessment taken prior to receiving first dose of study medication     is considered baseline.     Radiographic Assessments

Separate radiographs of each hand (posterior-anterior, PA) and each foot (anterior-posterior, AP) will be taken at screening, Weeks 24 and 48. Radiographs will be assessed using van der Heijde modified method according to Sharp (van der Heijde, D. “How to read radiographs according to the Sharp/van der Heijde method.” J Rheumatol 27: 261-263 (2000)).

All non-escape patients will receive TCZ SC Q2W starting from week 24. The radiographic analysis at Week 48 will compare patients randomized at baseline to placebo with patients randomized to TCZ SC Q2W, both groups receiving active drug starting from week 24. It will be explored whether the rate of progression of structural damage differs between both periods. This will be particularly relevant in the group of patients randomized to placebo at baseline.

Treatment with SC anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ), in combination with DMARDs, as disclosed in this example is anticipated to be effective (based on Week 24 ACR20 data) and safe (with respect to AEs and laboratory assessments). Moreover, treatment with SC anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) can inhibit progression of structural joint damage at Week 24 and Week 48, and improve physical function in RA patients.

EXAMPLE 4 Anti-IL-6R Antibody Composition Including Hyaluronidase Enzyme

This example describes the development of a stable pharmaceutical formulation including anti-IL-6R antibody (tocilizumab) and hyaluronidase enzyme (recombinant human PH20, rHuPH20).

Drug Substance

The anti-IL-6R antibody tocilizumab (see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,965) is an active ingredient in the formulation, used to treat RA or other IL-6-mediated disorders.

The recombinant human PH20 (rHuPH20), see, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 7,767,429, is included to increase the dispersion area of the SC injected TCZ thereby allowing the SC injection of volumes greater than 2 mL as well as potentially increasing the bioavailability compared to the SC formulation without hyaluronidase (see Example 5).

Selection of pH/Buffer

A pH for stabilizing tocilizumab SC vials 162 mg was found to be approximately pH 6.0. The pH of 6.0±0.5 was therefore selected for the current formulation. L-histidine/L-histidine monohydrochloride is added to the formulation as buffering agent at a concentration of 20 mM, which is within the normal concentration range of 10-100 mM for parenteral buffers. The pH of approximately 6.0 achieved by using a predefined ratio of buffer salt and base and optionally, sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid can be used for pH adjustment.

Stabilizing Agents

Polysorbate 80 is added at a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL as a stabilizing agent to prevent potential mechanical stress (agitation)-induced and potential freeze and thaw-induced instabilization of the protein.

L-arginine hydrochloride and L-methionine are added at a concentration of 100 mM and 30 mM as stabilizing agents to prevent potential thermal stress-induced instabilization of the protein.

Formulation Development

The goal was to develop a stable and sterile liquid solution for subcutaneous injection of tocilizumab.

Due to the higher concentration of tocilizumab, 180 mg/mL versus 20 mg/mL used in the IV formulation, the SC formulation was developed with regard to the effect of protein concentration on the ejection force and the viscosity on a standard syringe. Volume of subcutaneous injection is ideally 1 mL or less, so that high concentration of protein is needed in drug product. On the other hand, high viscosity which is caused by high concentration of protein, increase injection force. From correlation between protein concentration and viscosity, the target tocilizumab concentration was 180 mg/mL.

Table 2 compares exemplary tocilizumab SC-formulations with a tocilizumab IV-formulation. The lyophilized SC-formulation with 114.3 mg/mL TCZ was used in a previous human pharmacokinetic clinical study conducted in France using 20 healthy volunteers. The purpose of this early study was to investigate the absolute bioavailability and tolerability of the subcutaneous route of administration.

TABLE 2 Comparison of anti-IL-6R Antibody Formulations Tocilizumab SC Lyo Tocilizumab Tocilizumab Tocilizumab Vials 80 mg SC Vials SC Syringes Tocilizumab IV- Reconstitute 162 mg/0.9 mL 162 mg/0.9 mL Co-formulated Ingredient formulation^(a) Solution ^(c) for phase 1 & 2 for phase 3 with rHuPH20 Function Tocilizumab 20 mg/mL 114.3 mg/mL 180 mg/mL 180 mg/mL 180 mg/mL Active concentration ingredient (Drug substance process) pH buffer Phosphate ^(b) Phosphate ^(d) Histidine ^(e) Histidine ^(e) Histidine ^(e) pH buffer Polysorbate 80 0.5 mg/mL 1.4 mg/mL 0.2 mg/mL 0.2 mg/mL 0.2 mg/mL Stabilizing agent Sucrose 50 mg/mL 100 mg/mL — — — Osmolality adjustment Bulking Agent L-Arginine — — — 0.147 mg/mL ^(f) — Stabilizing agent L-Arginine — — 21.1 mg/mL ^(f) 20.9 mg/mL ^(f) 21.1 mg/mL ^(f) Stabilizing hydrochloride agent L-Methionine — — 4.48 mg/mL ^(g) 4.48 mg/mL ^(g) 4.48 mg/mL ^(g) Stabilizing agent Total volume q.s.^(h) q.s.^(h) q.s.^(h) q.s.^(h) q.s.^(h) Diluent adjusted with Water for Injection Hyaluronidase — — — — 1,500 U/mL Increase (rHuPH20) dispersion and/or bioavailability ^(a)Currently available Tocilizumab IV-strengths are: Vials 80 mg/4 mL, Vials 200 mg/10 mL and Vials 400 mg/20 mL with different fill volume of the same formulation with the same concentration of the drug substance. ^(b) pH of solution 6.5 and 15 mmol/L for phosphate buffer ^(c) Each concentration of ingredient is calculated from actual reconstituted volume (0.7 mL). ^(d) pH of solution 7.0 and 42.9 mmol/L for phosphate buffer ^(e) pH of solution 6.0 and 20 mmol/L for histidine buffer ^(f) corresponds to a concentration of 100 mmol/L L-Arginine hydrochloride ^(g) corresponds to a concentration of 30 mmol/L L-Methionine ^(h)q.s. = quantum satis (as much as may suffice) Overages

No concentration overages are used in the formulation.

Formulation with Hyaluronidase Enzyme

The following table summarizes the ingredients and concentrations thereof in an exemplary formulation including both anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) and hyaluronidase (rHuPH20):

TABLE 3 SC Formulation Ingredient Concentration Tocilizumab  180 mg/mL rHuPH20 1,500 U/mL Polysorbate 80  0.2 mg/mL L-Arginine hydrochloride 21.1 mg/mL^(a) L-Methionine  4.5 mg/mL^(b) L-Histidine 1.5 mg q.s.^(c, d) L-Histidine monohydrochloride 2.1 mg q.s.^(c, d) Total volume adjusted with Water 1 mL q.s.^(d) for Injection (WFI) ^(a)corresponds to a concentration of 100 mmol/L L-arginine hydrochloride ^(b)corresponds to a concentration of 30 mmol/L L-methionine ^(c)pH of solution 6.0 and 20 mmol/L for histidine buffer; sodium hydroxide or dilute hydrochloric acid can optionally be used for pH adjustment. ^(d)q.s = quantum satis (as much as may suffice) (L-Histidine, L-Histidine monohydrochloride, and WFI are potential amounts to achieve pH 6.0) Physicochemical and Biological Properties

The formulation demonstrates good stability at the recommended storage condition of 2-8° C. when protected from light.

PK Studies

Two non-clinical PK studies with the TCZ SC formulation including hyaluronidase have been conducted; one in mini-pigs, and one in Cynomolgus monkeys (Table 4):

TABLE 4 PK studies TCZ rHuPH20 Dose in SC Formulation Study Dosing dose Volume Total type Species regimen (mg) mg/mL U/mL (mL) Units Endpoints PK Mini-pig TCZ SC 180 0 0 1.0 0 TCZ (non single dose 180 0.02 2000 1.0 2000 in plasma - GLP) TCZ IV** 180 0.06 6000 1.0 6000 Absolute single dose 540 0.06 6000 3.0 18000 bioavailability  20* 0 0 ca. 1.0 0 PK Cynomolgus TCZ SC  50* 0.06 6000 ca. 3   1800 TCZ in (non- monkey single Dose plasma GLP) *dose level in mg/kg **IV administration of TCZ to allow calculation of absolute bioavailability.

The mini-pig was chosen for rHuPH20 dose selection because its skin and the texture of SC tissue are considered to be similar to those of humans. The mini-pig study utilized two SC dose levels of TCZ formulations with various concentrations of rHuPH20 as well as an IV dosing arm with TCZ alone (Table 4) to allow estimation of absolute bioavailability/fraction absorbed. Study results indicated a more rapid absorption of SC administered TCZ from rHuPH20 containing formulations. Thus, median time to maximum plasma levels of TCZ was shortened from 48 hours without rHuPH20 to 24 hours for all rHuPH20 containing formulations. The fraction absorbed of SC administered TCZ was estimated at around 80% for all dose groups.

The study in Cynomolgus monkey provided information about repeat-dose toxicity with the TCZ SC formulation in the same species (Table 4). Plasma levels of TCZ following a single dose of 50 mg/kg of the TCZ SC formulation were assessed. Results demonstrate that after SC administration maximum serum concentrations of TCZ (mean±SD: 822±230 μg/mL) were reached after 48 hours (median). The results of this study are available except for the animals which are currently in the treatment-free recovery period. Subcutaneous weekly dosing of tocilizumab in a formulation containing recombinant hyaluronidase (rHuPH20) to Cynomolgus monkeys at 100 mg/kg for 13 weeks was systemically and locally well tolerated, without any test item induced finding. The no adverse effect limit (NOAEL) was considered to be at the dose level of 100 mg/kg.

EXAMPLE 5 Clinical Study with SC Formulation Including Anti-IL-6R Antibody and Haluronidase Enzyme

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a recombinant humanized, IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against the soluble and membrane-bound interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R). Hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) is used to facilitate injection of subcutaneous (SC) formulations by cleaving the hyaluronic acid chain in the SC interstitial matrix at the injection site. The aim of the study was to evaluate pharmacokinetic (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD), and safety following single ascending doses of TCZ with rHuPH20.

Materials and Methods

This was a phase 1 ascending dose (162 mg TCZ alone, 162 mg, 324 mg, and 648 mg TCZ+rHuPH20) study in healthy subjects. The formulation of Example 4, Table 3 was used in this study.

The Objectives of the Study were:

Primary Objective:

-   -   1. To investigate the effect of rHuPH20 on the exposure of         different SC doses of TCZ.

Secondary Objectives:

-   -   1. To explore the safety and tolerability of a single SC dose of         TCZ containing rHuPH20 in healthy volunteers.     -   2. To investigate the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) relationship of         TCZ (with or without rHuPH20) following SC administration by         measuring IL-6, sIL-6R, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy         volunteers.         Overall Study Design

This was a phase 1, single-dose, open-label, parallel group for Cohorts 1 and 2 and sequential for the rest of the cohorts, single-center study in healthy males and females 18 to 65 years of age, inclusive, of non-child-bearing potential. Table 5 provides an overview of the study design.

TABLE 5 Overview of Study Design Study drug Assess- administration / ments Safety Screening Assessments assessments continued follow-up Days −28 Day −1 Day 1 Days 2 Between days to −2 Single dose of study to 36 40 and 43 drug administration In-clinic stay from day −1 (evening) to day 2 (morning)

Eligible subjects were assigned to one of four cohorts listed in Table 6. The concentration of rHuPH20 used in this study was guided by data from the mini-pig study in Example 4 above in which TCZ was administered SC in the presence and in the absence of either 2,000 or 6,000 U/mL (nominal concentrations) of rHuPH20. Results demonstrated a more rapid absorption of TCZ administered SC from rHuPH20 containing TCZ formulations. This effect on the absorption rate of TCZ was comparable with both rHuPH20 concentrations. Analytical quantification of the dosing solution revealed an actual rHuPH20 concentration of 1,356 U/mL (instead of the nominal 2,000 U/mL). Therefore, a rHuPH20 concentration of 1,500 U/mL was selected for the proposed clinical study.

TABLE 6 TCZ Dosage and Schedule Cohort IMP 1 TCZ (180 mg/mL) SC formulation single dose of 0.9 mL corresponding to a dose of TCZ 162 mg TCZ 2 TCZ (180 mg/mL)/rHuPH20 (1,500 U/mL) SC formulation, single dose of 0.9 mL corresponding to a dose of 162 mg TCZ and 1,350 U rHuPH20 3 TCZ (180 mg/mL)/rHuPH20 (1,500 U/mL) SC formulation, single dose of 3.6 mL corresponding to a dose of 648 mg TCZ and 5,400 U rHuPH20 4 TCZ (180 mg/mL)/rHuPH20 (1,500 U/mL) SC formulation, single dose of 1.8 mL corresponding to a dose of 324 mg TCZ and 2,700 U rHuPH20

The study consisted of a screening period (days −28 to −2), an in-clinic period (days −1 evening to 2 morning) with a single dose of study drug given on day 1 and a follow-up period (between days 40 and 43).

Eligible subjects were admitted to the clinical research unit on day −1 and predose assessments and procedures were performed. After a minimum fast of 4 hours, blood and urine samples were taken. After a light, standardized breakfast on the morning of day 1, subjects received their TCZ SC injection in the right or left anterior thigh (midway between the anterior iliac crest and the cephalad border of the patella). Start and end time of each SC injection was recorded and individual injection sites were photographed before and after injection.

After placement of the injection device, but before study drug injection, subjects had their pain assessed according to a 100 mm horizontal visual analogue scale (VAS) and a categorical 6-point pain self-assessment.

Subjects remained in the unit until the 24-hour PK assessments were complete and returned for PK and safety assessments as specified. Blood samples were drawn pre-dose and at 2, 8, 12, 24 and 36 hours post-dose for the analysis of serum TCZ levels. Additional blood samples were collected on days 3, 4, 5, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 29, 36 and at follow up. Blood samples for assessments of IL-6, sIL-6R, and CRP were drawn at the same time points as samples for the PK analyses.

Subjects returned to the clinic between days 40 and 43 for follow-up procedures including a physical examination, three serial 12-lead ECGs, vital signs and clinical laboratory tests.

Safety (clinical laboratory tests and vital signs) and PK/PD assessments were performed at regular intervals during the study. Spontaneous adverse events were recorded throughout the study. Subjects remained in the unit until the 24-hour PK assessments were complete. Subjects returned for PK and safety assessments on specified days afterwards.

PK and PD samples were collected intensively. PK and PD parameters were estimated with non-compartmental methods. A one way ANOVA was used to assess the effect of rHuPH20 on TCZ exposure. Safety and tolerability was monitored throughout the study.

RESULTS

Results of this study are depicted in FIGS. 8-13.

Pharmacodynamic Results:

CRP:

Following administration of SC TCZ across all cohorts, mean CRP values decreased rapidly and reached a nadir at nominal times 168 and 240 hours in Cohorts 1 and 2 and at 336 hours in Cohorts 3 and 4, although by the nominal time 168 hours nadir was approximately reached in all cohorts. Thereafter, mean CRP values increased toward baseline values by nominal time 504 hours in Cohorts 1 and 2 and by 672 hours in Cohort 4. Mean CRP values remained suppressed through 672 hour time point in Cohort 3, however the unscheduled follow-up sample revealed mean values which returned toward baseline. Cohorts 1 and 2 revealed a similar change from baseline in mean CRP values while in Cohort 4 CRP values revealed a delay in time to return to baseline. In Cohort 3 mean change from baseline values remained below baseline. A dose dependent effect on mean CRP noncompartmental parameters was observed with a dose dependent decrease in mean AUC_(0-D29) for CRP observed across cohorts. Dose dependent changes in CRP T_(min) were also observed where a delay in mean T_(min) was observed with increasing dose. See FIG. 10.

IL-6:

Following administration of SC TCZ with and without rHuPH20, mean IL-6 serum concentrations increased rapidly in all four cohorts and subsequently declined gradually over time. In Cohorts 1 and 2, mean IL-6 concentrations reached approximate baseline levels by nominal sample time of 504 hours while in Cohort 4 mean IL-6 serum concentrations reached approximately baseline values by the follow-up sample on days 40-43. In Cohort 3, mean IL-6 values were elevated through the nominal time 672 hours, but concentrations returned to approximate baseline values at the unscheduled follow-up sample. See FIG. 11.

sIL-6R:

Following administration of SC TCZ with and without rHuPH20, mean sIL-6R serum concentration increased rapidly in all cohorts. Following maximal concentrations reached at nominal sampling time 240 hours in Cohorts 1 and 2, mean sIL-6R concentrations subsequently declined to approximately baseline levels by nominal time 672 hours. In Cohort 4, mean sIL-6R serum concentrations decreased following maximal concentration at nominal time 408 hours toward baseline values by the follow-up sample on days 40-43. In Cohort 3, mean sIL-6R serum concentrations increased rapidly following TCZ administrations and continued to increase across all sampling points reaching an observed maximal concentration at the sampling time of 672 hours. See FIG. 12.

For IL-6 and sIL-6R noncompartmental parameters, mean AUC_(0-D29) increased with increasing dose across cohorts. Mean C_(max) revealed a similar dose dependent increase. Observed time to maximum concentration (T_(max)) was prolonged with increasing dose.

In comparing the effect of rHuPH20 on PD response between Cohort 1 (162 mg TCZ) and Cohort 2 (162 mg TCZ/1350U rHuPH20), the concentration-time profiles were similar between the two groups for all three PD parameters (CRP, IL-6, and sIL-6R). Mean PD (CRP, IL-6, and sIL-6R) AUC_(0-D29) parameters were similar between Cohorts 1 and 2 with AUC_(0-D29) ratios of 99.6%, 100%, and 97.4% for CRP, IL-6, and sIL-6R, respectively.

Pharmacokinetic Results:

Results from Cohorts 1 and 2 (162 mg TCZ with and without PH20) indicate a trend towards an earlier T. and slightly higher exposure (GMR [90% confidence intervals] for C_(max) and AUC_(0-inf) were 1.45 [1.24-1.70] and 1.20 [1.00-1.44], respectively) in the presence of rHuPH20 while TCZ serum concentrations in the elimination phase were superimposable for the two formulations. With the addition of rHuPH20 in Cohort 2, there was a clear trend towards reduced variability (CV %) in the PK parameters of TCZ (17.4 vs. 32.4 for C_(max) and 16.4 vs. 42.0 AUC_(0-inf) with and without rHuPH20, respectively).

In Cohort 3 following administration of 648 mg TCZ/PH20, mean C_(max) and AUC_(0-inf) of TCZ were approximately 6.95- and 12.55-fold higher than in Cohort 1 (162 mg TCZ), while the total dose administered was only 4-fold higher, reflecting the non-dose proportionality in the PK of TCZ. The unscheduled follow-up sample taken for subjects in Cohort 3 (mean actual time 1909±66.1 hours) revealed TCZ serum concentrations below the limit of quantification for all subjects indicating the complete elimination of the single TCZ SC dose.

In Cohort 4 following administration of 324 mg TCZ/PH20, mean C_(max) and AUC_(0-inf) of TCZ were approximately 3.85- and 4.44-fold higher than in Cohort 1 (162 mg TCZ), while the total dose administered was only 2-fold higher.

Plasma rHuPH20 concentrations were below the limit of quantification for all sampling points in all subjects indicating the use of the enzyme as a local permeation enhancer for the co-administered drug does not result in quantifiable systemic exposures of the enzyme.

Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Relationships:

sIL-6R and TCZ:

The sIL-6R concentrations reached Cmax after TCZ reached its Cmax for all 4 cohorts, with a delayed increase in sIL-6R levels as the TCZ concentration increased creating a counter-clockwise hysteresis relationship. The TCZ Cmax was reached at times ranging from 36 to 96 hours after administration of TCZ across all cohorts, while sIL-6R reached Cmax at nominal time 240 hours for Cohorts 1 and 2, nominal time 672 hours for Cohort 3, and nominal time 408 hours for Cohort 4.

C-Reactive Protein and TCZ:

As with sIL-6R, TCZ administration resulted in a delayed decrease of CRP, i.e., the CRP nadir was reached after the C_(max) of TCZ. The CRP nadir was reached at nominal times 168 and 240 hours in Cohorts 1 and 2 and by 336 hours in Cohorts 3 and 4 while the TCZ Cmax occurred at times ranging from 36 to 96 hours after administration of TCZ across all cohorts, creating a clockwise hysteresis relationship

Safety Results:

Sixty-one of the 68 reported adverse events were considered by the investigator to be possibly or remotely related to treatment with the study drug. Most were injection site adverse events, which were reported only by subjects who received TCZ with rHuPH20. There were no deaths, no serious adverse events, and no subjects withdrew from the study due to an adverse event. There did not appear to be a relationship between the number of subjects reporting adverse events, the presence or absence of rHuPH20, or the dose of TCZ.

With the exception of mean white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts, mean hematology parameters remained in the normal range throughout the study, as did mean total bilirubin, ALAT, and ASAT concentrations. Mean white blood cell counts and neutrophil counts were back within reference ranges at the end of the study. Low neutrophil count was also the most common marked laboratory abnormality reported during the study, reported by a total of 30 subjects across all treatment groups. Eight of the subjects with markedly low neutrophil counts also reported infections, which resolved with no sequelae. ECG readings and vital signs were normal throughout the study for most subjects. There were no clinically relevant changes in serum IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgA levels. Neutralizing anti-TCZ antibodies were confirmed in two subjects receiving 648 mg TCZ/rHuPH20, No subjects developed neutralizing anti-rHuPH20 antibodies. The SC injections were well tolerated in all cohorts, as evaluated by the Visual Analog Scale and patient categorical self-assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Conclusions

-   -   Administration of TCZ with rHuPH20 resulted in a slightly         increased exposure with geometric mean ratios (90% confidence         intervals) for AUC_(0-inf) and C_(max) of 1.20 (1.00-1.44) and         1.45 (1.24-1.70), respectively, for Cohort 2 (162 mg         TCZ/rHuPH20) to Cohort 1 (162 mg TCZ) supporting the hypothesis         that rHuPH20 acts as a local permeation enhancer.     -   A clear trend towards lower PK variability in the presence of         rHuPH20 was observed.     -   A four-fold increase in administered TCZ dose in Cohort 3 (648         mg TCZ/PH20) resulted in 12.55-fold higher AUC_(0-inf) and         6.96-fold higher C_(max) with 648 mg TCZ/PH20 compared to 162 mg         TCZ in Cohort 1     -   A two fold increase in administered TCZ dose in Cohort 4 (324 mg         TCZ/PH20) resulted in 4.44-fold higher AUC_(0-inf) and 3.85-fold         higher C_(max) with 324 mg TCZ/PH20 compared to 162 mg TCZ in         Cohort 1.     -   The single SC TCZ doses assessed in Cohort 4 (324 mg) provided         mean AUC_(0-inf) of 10800±3220 μg·hr/mL and C_(D29) of 1.6±2.4         μg/mL and provided a C_(max) of 43.8±12.4 μg/mL.     -   The single SC TCZ doses assessed in Cohort 3 (648 mg) provided         mean AUC_(0-inf) of 29900±5280 μg·hr/mL and C_(D29) of 12.6±5.0         μg/mL and provided a C_(max) of 77.8±14.5 μg/mL.     -   The impact on the PD markers sIL-6R, IL-6 and CRP are comparable         for SC formulations containing 162 mg TCZ with and without         rHuPH20. Dose dependent changes in PD markers were observed with         increased doses from 162 mg to 648 mg TCZ/rHuPH20.         Safety Conclusions     -   Serious adverse events were not reported with SC doses of TCZ         with or without rHuPH20.     -   Tocilizumab-treatment was associated with a decrease in         neutrophils within 2 to 5 days of treatment. Mean neutrophil         counts returned to baseline from day 15 to follow-up in a dose         dependent manner.     -   Most other laboratory parameters ECGs, immunoglobulin levels and         vital signs recordings remained within the normal range         throughout the study.     -   Two subjects developed neutralizing anti-TCZ antibodies     -   No subjects developed neutralizing anti-rHuPH20 antibodies.     -   SC injections were well tolerated based on the Visual Analog         Scale and subject categorical self-assessment.

EXAMPLE 6 SQ Administered Anti-IL-6R Antibody for sJIA

This example describes the use of subcutaneously administered anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) to treat systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). A TCZ formulation with 180 mg/mL TCZ and no hyaluronidase (see Table 2 in Example 4) is subcutaneously administered in this example.

This is a phase 1b open label multi-center study to investigate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of tocilizumab following subcutaneous administration in patients with active sJIA. Patients to be treated in this study will be children age 2 up to and including age 17 sJIA≧6 months persistent activity who have had an inadequate clinical response to NSAIDs and corticosteroids (CS) due to toxicity or lack of efficacy will be treated herein.

In WA18221 study, TCZ was given at 12 mg/kg in patients with BW<30 kg and 8 mg/kg in patients with BW≧30 kg every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Comparable PK exposures were achieved for two body weight groups (FIG. 23A). Comparable sIL-6R profiles (FIG. 23B), CRP normalization pattern (FIG. 23C), and ESR profile (FIG. 23D) were observed for two BW groups. The comparable PK-PD profiles from WA18221 study resulted in acceptable efficacy and safety across the entire body weight range. Of all TCZ treated patients, 85.3% patients met primary endpoint of a JIA ACR30 response and absence of fever at Week 12 in contrast to 24.3% of the placebo patients demonstrating a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). At week 12, JIA ACR 30, 50, 70 and 90 responses were 90.7%, 85.3%, 70.7% and 37.7%, respectively, compared to 24.3%, 10.8%, 8.1% and 5.4% from placebo group, respectively.

To further examine if dose was adequate in WA18221 study, the PK exposure-efficacy relationship was analysed by PK exposure quartiles. At week 12, AUC_(2week) increased by 2.3-fold from quartile 1 (849±147 μg·day/ml) to quartile 4 (1,925±187 μg·day/ml) (Table 7). At week 52, Cmin in quartile 4 (108±12 μg/ml) was 3.6-fold greater than in quartile 1 (30±16 μg/ml) (Table 7). Although the study was not powered to compare efficacy in each of the 4 quartiles, proportions of patients who achieved JIA ACR30/50/70/90 responses appear comparable across 4 quartiles (Table 7), suggesting the exposures were at the plateau of the exposure-response curve. Limited data in each quartile did not show clear trend towards a higher incidence of AEs or serious AEs with higher TCZ exposure from quartile 1 to quartile 4 (AUC_(2week), C_(max) or C_(min)) (Table 8).

TABLE 7 Efficacy End Points by PK Quartile at Week 12 and Week 52 in Patients Assigned to TCZ at Baseline Quartile 1 Quartile 2 Quartile 3 Quartile 4 Week 12 n = 19 n = 19 n = 19 n = 18 AUC_(2weeks) 849 ± 147 1,178 ± 68.4 1,445 ± 105 1,925 ± 187 (μg · d/ml)² JIA ACR30, n (%) 16 (84.2) 17 (89.5) 18 (94.7) 17 (94.4) JIA ACR50, n (%) 15 (78.9) 16 (84.2) 16 (84.2) 16 (94.4) JIA ACR70, n (%)  9 (47.4) 15 (78.9) 14 (73.7) 15 (83.3) JIA ACR90, n (%)  5 (26.3)  7 (36.8) 10 (52.6) 16 (33.3) Quartile 1 Quartile 2 Quartile 3 Quartile 4 Week 52 n = 15 n = 14 n = 16 n = 13 C_(min) (μg/ml) 30.0 ± 16.3 62.5 ± 4.1 81.9 ± 6.0 108 ± 12.0 JIA ACR30, n (%) 15 (100) 14 (100) 16 (100) 13 (100) JIA ACR50, n (%) 13 (86.7) 14 (100) 16 (100) 13 (100) JIA ACR70, n (%) 11 (73.3) 11 (78.6) 16 (100) 13 (100) JIA ACR90, n (%)  8 (53.3)  8 (57.1) 13 (81.3)  8 (61.5) Quartiles are defined as those patients falling within 0%-≦25%, >25%-≦50%, >50%-≦75%, and >75%-100% of exposures. Patients who were randomly assigned to placebo treatment in study part 1 are excluded. Patients who had missing PK samples at week 52 were excluded from the summary. Mean ± SD for AUC_(2 weeks) and C_(min) are presented.

TABLE 8 Percentage of patients reporting adverse events by body system and preferred term to week 12 by AUC_(2weeks) and to Week 52 by C_(min) exposure quartiles Quartile 1¹ Quartile 2¹ Quartile 3¹ Quartile 4¹ Week 12 (n = 19) (n = 19) (n = 19) (n = 18) AUC_(2weeks) (μg · d/ml)² 849 ± 147 1,178 ± 68 1,445 ± 105 1,925 ± 187 All body systems³ 19 (100%) 16 (84%) 17 (865%) 14 (78%) Infections and 11 (58%)  8 (42%)  6 (32%)  9 (50%) infestation Gastrointestinal  3 (16%)  5 (26%)  2 (11%)  4 (22%) disorders Skin and subcutaneous  4 (21%)  1 (5%)  3 (16%)  4 (22%) tissue disorders Nervous system  3 (16%)  1 (5%)  2 (11%)  2 (11%) disorders Respiratory, thoracic,  3 (16%)  1 (5 %)  2 (11%)  1 (6%) and mediastinal disorders Serious adverse events  3 (16%)  0 (0%)  0 (0%)  0 (0%) Quartile 1 Quartile 2 Quartile 3 Quartile 4 Week 52 (n = 15) (n = 14) (n = 16) (n = 13) C_(min) (μg · d/ml)^(2, 4) 30 ± 16 63 ± 4 82 ± 6 108 ± 12 All body systems³ 15 (100) 14 (100) 16 (100) 11 (85) Infections and 10 (67) 12 (86) 15 (94)  8 (62) Infestation Gastrointestinal  7 (47)  3 (21)  5 (31)  5 (39) disorders Skin and subcutaneous  5 (33)  3 (21)  7 (44)  7 (54) tissue disorders Nervous system  4 (27)  3 (21)  3 (19)  4 (31) disorders Respiratory, thoracic,  5 (33)  2 (14)  5 (31)  6 (46) and mediastinal disorders Serious adverse events  4 (27)  1 (7)  2 (13)  1 (8) AUC_(2weeks), area under the serum concentration-time profile over 2 weeks of the dosing interval at steady state; C_(min), minimum concentration of drug at week 52 (predose concentration). Values are n (%) unless indicated otherwise. Patients who were assigned to placebo treatment in study part 1 were excluded. Patients who had missing PK samples at week 52 were excluded from the summary. ¹Quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4 are the first (0-<25%), second (>25-<50%), third (>50-<75%), and fourth (>75-100%) quartiles of individual exposure parameters as listed. ²Mean ± standard deviation, AUC_(2weeks), and C_(min) are presented. ³Total patients with at least one adverse event are included. Only the most frequent adverse events are presented. ⁴C_(min) quartiles include only patients with nonmissing serum concentrations randomly assigned to TCZ at baseline

In study WA18221, TCZ 12 mg/kg for patients <30 kg and 8 mg/kg for patients ≧30 kg, was given as an IV infusion every 2 weeks. The scatter plots of C_(min) at steady state (Week 12) across body weight from 10.0-112.7 kg showed that TCZ exposures are independent of body weight (FIG. 15). The mean PK model predicted Cmin is summarized in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Model simulated PK exposures for various dose regimens Body weight (sample size), Dose Regimen (route) kg AUC_(4week), μg · d/mL C_(min), μg/mL 12 mg/kg Q2W ( IV) ^(a) <30 (38) 2692 ± 852 (1116-4354)  61 ± 26 (17-117) 8 mg/kg IV Q2W (IV) ^(a) ≧30 (37) 2674 ± 818 (1144-4824)  55 ± 21 (10.9-100) All patients in WA18221 ^(a) All body weight 2682 ± 830 (1116-4354)  58 ± 23 (10.9-117) 162 mg QW (SC)^(b) ≧30 (37) 1810 ± 600 (816-3244)   58 ± 20 (22-107) 162 mg Q2W (SC)^(b) <30 (38) 1398 ± 424 (798-2202)   29 ± 13 (12-61) 162 mg QW (SC)^(b) <30 (38) 3092 ± 1020 (1416-5628)  100 ± 35 (45-188) 162 mg Q10D (SC)^(b) <30 (38) 1784 ± 581 (825-3231)   58 ± 22 (25-112) ^(a) Summary of PK parameters estimated by population analysis of data from study WA18221 following IV dosing; AUC_(2week) was multiplied by 2 in order to compare with other SC regimens. ^(b)Summary of simulated PK parameters for individual patients from Study WA18221 following SC dosing

Available subcutaneous formulation is in a 1 mL prefilled syringe delivering 0.9 mL 162 mg TCZ per injection. Thus the SC dose in the present study is a flat dose regimen across wide BW range. The initial dose for the present study has been selected based on the modeling and simulation and explained below.

In study WA18221, pharmacokinetic profile following IV administration was described by a 2-compartment model with both a saturable (Michaelis-Menten elimination) and a non-saturable first order elimination pathway from central compartment. The PK disposition parameters were well characterized (total clearance (CL; L/d), volume of distribution of the central compartment (Vc; L), volume of distribution of the peripheral compartment (Vp; L), intercompartmental clearance (Q; L/d), the Michaelis-Menten constant (Km; mg/L) and the maximum rate of the saturable elimination process (Vmax; mg/d)). In study NP22623, 162 mg TCZ was administered in the adult RA patients as either weekly (QW) and every other week (Q2W) dosing for 12 weeks in a total of 29 patients. Empirical modeling of the PK data from NP22623 provided subcutaneous absorption PK parameters (absorption rate constant Ka and bioavailability F) in RA patients. Under the assumption that these absorption PK parameters are similar to the absorption PK parameters in pediatric sJIA patients, and disposition PK parameters from WA18221 study are independent of the route of administration, the PK exposures were simulated for sJIA patients <30 kg and ≧30 kg following multiple dose administration up to a steady state. The simulated PK profiles for IV and SC administration are illustrated in FIG. 14. The PK model simulated C_(min) values versus body weight are shown in FIGS. 15 to 18. Calculated PK parameters based on the simulated PK profiles are summarized in Table 9.

As expected, IV dosing regimen exhibited more fluctuation between the peak and the trough concentration during a dosing interval, whereas for SC dosing, fluctuation between peak and trough is much smaller (FIGS. 14A and 14B).

Based on PK simulation, for sJIA patients weighing ≧30 kg, 162 mg QW provided mean±SD C_(min) (58±20) which is comparable to 58±23 from WA18221 study (Table 9). Individual Cmin data are also within 90% confidence limit from WA18221 study (FIGS. 16 to 18).

Based on PK simulation, for patients with BW<30 kg, 162 mg Q2W or 162 mg QW resulted in the mean±SD Cmin lower (29±13) or higher (100±35) than the average Cmin (58±23) from study WA18221, respectively. For 162 mg Q2W dosing, although all data are with min-max range from WA18221, 26% (10 of 38) Cmin values are below the lower 90% confidence bound from WA18221 study (FIG. 16). For 162 mg QW dosing, 21% (8 of 38) Cmin data are above the upper 90% confidence bound from WA18221 study (FIG. 17).

Based on PK model simulation, for patients with BW<30 kg, 162 mg SC injection every 10 days (Q10D) is predicted to provide mean±SD Cmin (58±22) being comparable to the data (58±23) from WA18221 study (Table 9). There are only 2 of 38 (5%) C_(min) values outside of the 90% confidence bound (FIG. 18).

Thus, the following treatment protocols will be used:

Group 1: Patients with body weight (BW)≧30 kg will receive 162 mg TCZ subcutaneous (SC) injections weekly (QW) for 14 weeks (13 doses). N=12

Group 2: Patients with BW<30 kg will receive 162 mg TCZ SC injections every 10 days (Q10D) for 14 weeks (9 doses). N=12

The treatment period will last for 14 weeks. During the treatment period, stable NSAIDs and MTX will be continued unchanged throughout 14 weeks of the study. Oral steroid dose will remain stable up to 6 weeks from first dose of TCZ at baseline. Steroid tapering will be allowed from week 6 onwards at discretion of the investigator. For CS reduction, no more than 20% reduction per week is recommended. The investigator may adjust or discontinue concomitant MTX, CS and/or NSAIDs treatment according to standard of care for reasons of safety at any time. The follow-up visit will be performed at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after last SC dosing.

Pharmacokinetic parameters will include C_(max), C_(min), T_(max), T_(1/2), and AUC_(τ) at steady state.

Pharmacodynamic parameters will include sIL-6R, CRP, and/or ESR concentration.

Efficacy will be evaluated by the following:

Proportion of patients with JIA ACR30/50/70/90 responses at Week 14 with and without absence of fever; and other efficacy parameters as appropriate.

It is anticipated that the anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) will be effective in sJIA patients with body weight ≧30 kg when administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg every week (QW) by SQ administration, e.g., for up to 14 weeks.

It is further anticipated that the anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) will be effective in sJIA patients with body weight <30 kg when administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg every 10±1 days (Q10D) by SQ administration, e.g., for up to 14 weeks. Alternative dosing regimens include 162 mg every week (QW) or every two weeks (Q2W).

EXAMPLE 7 SQ Administered Anti-IL-6R Antibody for pcJIA

Anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) is subcutaneously administered to patients with polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pcJIA). The formulation with 180 mg/mL TCZ and no hyaluronidase disclosed in Table 2 in Example 4 is administered herein.

This is a phase Ib open label multi-center study to investigate pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy and safety of tocilizumab following subcutaneous administration in patients with active pcJIA. Patients to be treated in this study will be children aged 2-17 years with at least 6 months active pcJIA (including either rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive or RF-negative polyarthritis subsets, or the extended oligoarticular JIA subset), with at least 5 joints with active arthritis (at least 3 of the active joints having limitation of motion) who have had an inadequate clinical response to methotrexate (MTX) due to lack of efficacy or toxicity, who are receiving standard of care, either with or without NSAIDs, low dose corticosteroids or concomitant MTX.

Up to 30% of patients enrolled in this study may have had previous treatment with a biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (biologic DMARD).

TCZ has been approved for treatment of pcJIA in Japan based on the phase 3 study MRA318JP conducted in Japanese patients. Objectives of the study were to determine the efficacy, safety, PK and PD of TCZ following 8 mg/kg TCZ infusion every 4 weeks for 12 weeks (3 infusions). It was observed, that the clinical response, expressed as probability to reach a pcJIA50 or pcJIA70 score, was lower in children with a lower bodyweight compared to patients with a higher body weight. After 12 weeks of treatment with TCZ 8 mg/kg every 4 weeks: 88% of patients weighing <30 kg vs 100% of the patients weighing ≧30 kg reached a pcJIA50 score (FIG. 19A); and 38% of patients weighing <30 kg vs 80% of patients weighing ≧30 kg reached pcJIA70score (FIG. 19B).

This noticeable difference in JIA ACR response rate was associated with a visible trend towards lower systemic exposure (AUC_(4week)) to TCZ in subjects with lower body weight, particularly below a body weight of approximately 30 kg. In contrast, in patients with a body weight higher than 30 kg exposure appeared to be more or less independent of body weight (FIG. 20A).

The PK of TCZ from MRA318 TCZ was described by a two-compartment disposition model with parallel first-order (linear CL) and Michaelis-Menten elimination (nonlinear or concentration-dependent CL) kinetics. For the dose of 8 mg/kg administered every 4 weeks, the contribution of nonlinear CL to AUC was small and had no relevant impact on C_(max). The most pronounced impact of the concentration-dependent CL component on the PK of TCZ was observed for C_(min). The C_(min) values were close to the mean K_(M) value of the nonlinear CL component. Thus, C_(min) values were in a concentration range where small changes in serum TCZ concentrations result in a relative large change in nonlinear CL.

FIGS. 24A-D show the PK, sIL-6R, CRP and ESR profiles over time during 12 weeks of treatment. sIL-6R levels increased over time and reached stable condition at week 12 (FIG. 24B). CRP levels fluctuated during a dosing interval with elevation prior to next dose (FIG. 24C). ESR decreased by week 4 and stay low after week 8 (FIG. 24D). Analysis of PK-PD relationship indicated that when the serum TCZ concentration was at or above (1 μg/mL), CRP and ESR were low and sIL-6R saturation was high.

Following administration of TCZ 8 mg/kg IV Q4W to pcJIA patients in study MRA318JP, prior to the next infusion at weeks 4, 8 and 12, approximately 35 to 39% of patients had TCZ Cmin<1 μg/mL (Table 10). Although most children in MRA318JP reached the ACR30 endpoint at Week 12, children with non-measurable TCZ levels at Cmin were much less likely to achieve JIA ACR 70 than those with measurable Cmin TCZ levels (25% vs 73%). The majority of children with non-measurable TCZ at Cmin, and not achieving the best efficacy responses had lower body weights (<30 kg).

TABLE 10 Mean ± SD Serum TCZ Concentrations and % of Patients in Serum TCZ Concentration Less than 1 μg/mL % of patients with Time of Visit Mean ± SD TCZ, μg/mL TCZ < 1 μg/mL  0 (pre dose) 0 NA  0 (post dose)  145 ± 37.5 0  1 42.9 ± 13.3 0  2 20.2 ± 8.75 0  4 3.83 ± 3.47 38.9  6 22.6 ± 8.59 5.6  8 5.71 ± 5.71 35.3 10 22.8 ± 9.23 5.9 11 12.7 ± 7.01 17.6 12 4.88 ± 4.68 38.9

The population PK analysis was developed based data from MRA318JP and interim PK data from WA19977 (117 patients). In study NP22623, 162 mg TCZ was administered in the adult RA patients as QW or Q2W dosing for 12 weeks in a total of 29 patients. Empirical modeling of the PK data from NP22623 provided subcutaneous absorption PK parameters (absorption rate constant Ka and bioavailability F) in RA patients. Under the assumption that these absorption PK parameters are similar to the absorption PK parameters in pediatric pcJIA patients, and disposition PK parameters from WA19977 study are independent of the route of administration, the PK exposures were simulated for pcJIA patients <30 kg and ≧30 kg following multiple dose administration up to a steady state. The simulated PK profiles for IV and SC administration are illustrated in FIGS. 21A and 21B, respectively. TCZ concentrations following IV and SC administration during a dosing interval of 4 weeks at steady state appear to be approximately at similar levels. The model simulated TCZ exposure parameters (AUC_(4week), C_(min) and C_(max)) are shown in Table 11. SC dose of 162 mg Q2W for both BW<30 kg and BW≧30 kg patients appear to be appropriate to produce comparable AUC_(4week) to the WA19977 study (Table 11). Therefore, the proposed SC dose for Group 1 is 162 mg Q2W for all patients.

TABLE 11 Model Simulated Serum TCZ PK Exposure Parameters for SC and IV Dosing Regimens for Patients in WA19977 Study AUC_(4week), C_(max), C_(min), WA19977 BW, kg N μg · d/mL μg/mL μg/mL  8 mg/kg Q4W^(a) <30 20  424 ± 143 113 ± 24 0.3 ± 0.6 (205-754)  (74-164)   (0-2.6) 10 mg/kg Q4W^(a) <30 19  825 ± 226 185 ± 36 2.4 ± 2.5 (328-1359) (132-249)   (0-9.2)  8 mg/kg Q4W^(a) ≧30 78 1031 ± 359 171 ± 38 5.3 ± 6.4 (485-2058)  (79-265) (0.1-29) 162 mg Q2W^(b) <30 39  945 ± 377  43 ± 14  20 ± 12 (299-2111)  (19-87) (1.8-57) 162 mg Q2W^(b) 30 78  604 ± 178  28 ± 7  12 ± 5 (148-985)  (11-42) (0.6-28) Mean ± SD (min-max) presented ^(a)Summary of PK parameters estimated by population analysis of data from study WA19977 following IV dosing; AUC_(2week) was multiplied by 2 in order to compare with other SC regimens. ^(b)Summary of simulated PK parameters for individual patients from Study WA19977 following SC dosing.

Thus, 162 mg of TCZ is administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks (Q2W) to patients with pcJIA (N=24). The treatment period will last for 14 weeks. During the treatment period, stable NSAIDs and MTX will be continued unchanged throughout 14 weeks of the study. No tapering of corticosteroids, NSAIDs or methotrexate can occur during the study except for safety reasons. PK, PD, efficacy parameters will be assessed at the scheduled time points. The follow-up visit will be performed at 4 and 8 weeks after last SC dosing.

It is anticipated that the anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) will be effective in pcJIA patients when administered as 162 mg dose every 2 weeks (Q2W) by SQ administration, e.g., for up to 14 weeks.

EXAMPLE 8 SQ Administered Anti-IL-6R Antibody for Systemic Sclerosis

This is a Phase ⅔, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm, parallel-group trial in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). A TCZ formulation with 180 mg/mL TCZ and no hyaluronidase (see Table 2 in Example 4) is subcutaneously administered to SSc patients in this study. The primary endpoint, the change in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) from baseline at Week 24, will be evaluated at Week 24. There will be a 48-week blinded period followed by a 48-week open-label period.

Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 162 mg of SC TCZ weekly (QW) (Group A) or SC placebo QW (Group B) for 48 weeks. The primary analysis will occur when all patients have reached Week 24.

Starting at Week 48, all patients will receive open-label treatment with 162 mg of TCZ subcutaneously QW and no patient will receive a placebo injection.

Efficacy parameters will be assessed, starting at baseline to Week 96, as described in the schedule of assessments.

Target Population

Patients must meet the following criteria for study entry:

-   -   Ability and willingness to give written informed consent and         comply with the requirements of the study protocol     -   Diagnosis of SSc, as defined using the American College of         Rheumatology criteria (1980)     -   Disease duration of ≦60 months (defined as time from the first         non-Raynaud phenomenon manifestation)     -   Age ≧18 years at baseline     -   ≧15 and ≦40 mRSS units at the screening visit     -   Uninvolved skin at one of the following locations:         -   Front of the middle region of the thighs         -   Lower part of the abdomen below the navel except for the             2-inch area directly around the navel         -   Outer area of the upper arms (if a caregiver is giving the             patient injections)     -   Active disease defined as at least one A criterion and one B         criterion each:         -   Criteria A at screening             -   Increase ≧3 in mRSS units at screening compared with the                 last visit within previous 1-6 months             -   Involvement of one new body area with ≧2 mRSS units at                 screening compared with the last visit within the                 previous 1-6 months             -   Involvement of two new body areas with ≧1 mRSS units at                 screening compared with the last visit within the                 previous 1-6 months             -   Other documentation of worsening skin thickening at                 screening compared with the last visit within the                 previous 1-6 months consistent with the progression of                 skin thickening described in the above criteria using                 mRSS             -   Presence of 1 or more TFRs at screening         -   Criteria B at screening             -   High-sensitivity C-reactive protein ≧1 mg/dL             -   Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ≧28 mm/hr             -   Platelet count (≧330×10³/μL)     -   Treatment with oral corticosteroids (≦10 mg/day of prednisone or         equivalent) is permitted if the patient is on a stable dose         regimen for ≧2 weeks prior to and including at baseline.     -   Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is         permitted if the patient is on a stable dose regimen for ≧2         weeks prior to and including at baseline.     -   Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium-channel         blockers, protein-pump inhibitors, and/or oral vasodilators are         permitted if the patient is on a stable dose for ≧4 weeks prior         to and including at baseline.     -   If female of childbearing potential, the patient must have a         negative pregnancy test at screening and the baseline visit.         Efficacy Outcome Measures

The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) from baseline at Week 24. Skin thickness will be assessed by palpation and rated using a score from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe skin thickening) across 17 different sites. The total score is the sum of the individual skin scores in the 17 body areas (e.g., face, hands, fingers; proximal area of the arms, distal area of the arms, thorax, abdomen; proximal area of the legs, and distal area of the legs, feet), giving a range of 0-51 units. The instrument has been validated for patients with SSc.

The secondary efficacy endpoints for this study are as follows:

-   -   Change in Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability         Index (SHAQ-DI) score from baseline at Weeks 24 and 48     -   Change in 28 tender joint count (TJC) from baseline at Weeks 24         and 48 in patients with joint involvement at baseline     -   Change in the patient's global assessment from baseline at Weeks         24 and 48     -   Change in the clinician's global assessment from baseline at         Weeks 24 and 48     -   Change in Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness         Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT)-Fatigue score from baseline at Weeks 24         and 48     -   Change in Pruritus 5-D Itch Scale from baseline at Weeks 24 and         48     -   Change in mRSS from baseline at Week 48     -   Proportion of patients with change from baseline in the mRSS at         Week 48 greater than or equal to the change from baseline in the         mRSS at Week 24

It is anticipated that subcutaneously administered TCZ as disclosed herein will improve cutaneous sclerosis, improve physical function, and/or slow progression of organ damage in SSc patients treated as disclosed, relative to placebo-treated patients. For example, the TCZ shall achieve the primary efficacy endpoint (change in mRSS at week 24) and/or any one or more of the secondary endpoints.

EXAMPLE 9 SQ Administered Anti-IL-6R Antibody for Giant Cell Arteritis

This example describes the use of subcutaneously administered anti-IL-6R antibody (TCZ) to treat giant cell arteritis (GCA). The TCZ formulation with 180 mg/mL TCZ and no hyaluronidase described in Table 2 in Example 4 is used to treat patients with GCA (new onset or refractory GCA).

The protocol for treating patients with GCA is shown in FIG. 22. The proposed study is multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled in patients diagnosed with GCA. Patients may be either new onset or refractory (i.e. GCA patients who have responded inadequately to previous therapy with corticosteroids (CS)). The primary endpoint will be CS free sustained remission at 9 months. Remission is defined as absence of signs and symptoms and normalization of acute phase response. Sustained is defined as absence of flare following induction of remission. Patients achieving the primary endpoint at 9 months will have achieved remission within 3 months and maintained their remission for at least 6 months whilst being able to taper off their CS. Secondary endpoints at 9 months include time to GCA disease flare after clinical remission, cumulative CS dose, quality of life and change in acute phase reactant and hemoglobin.

Two doses of subcutaneously administered TCZ will be used:

-   -   162 mg every week (qw); and     -   162 mg every other week (q2w).

Patients will be randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio (100:50:50) to receive either 162 mg of SC TCZ qw, 162 mg of SC TCZ q2w or SC placebo for 9 months in a double blind fashion. In addition, all patients will receive background CS therapy and follow a CS tapering regimen over a 6 month period (see Table 12). Refractory subjects will enter the study at 10 mg higher than the dose that previously controlled the disease and continue the trial glucocorticoid taper outlined from the prednisone dose at entry. In the absence of relapse, this schedule will result in a glucocorticoid dosage below 5 mg after 4 months and no glucocorticoid use after 6 months.

TABLE 12 Prednisone Schedule: New Onset Patients Daily prednisone dose, both arms Week (mg/day) 1 60 2 60 3 50 4 40 5 30 6 25 7 20 8 17.5 9 15 10 12.5 11 10 12 9 13 8 14 7 15 6 16 5 17 4 18 4 19 3 20 3 21 2 22 2 23 1 24 1

At month 9, all patients may enter part 2 (open label extension) of the study. Patients who meet the primary endpoint will be required to stop their subcutaneous injections and be followed for maintenance of response. Patients who do not meet the primary endpoint, will have the option to escape to investigator-led therapy that can include open label TCZ. The purpose of the open label extension is to describe the long term safety and efficacy of a course of TCZ in GCA, to describe long term steroid sparing effect of TCZ and its sequelae in terms of CS related adverse events, and to describe a potential requirement for maintenance of TCZ therapy beyond 9 months.

The target population for this study is adult patients with GCA. New onset and relapsed/refractory GCA patients will be eligible.

Diagnosis of GCA is according to the following criteria

-   -   Westergreen erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)>40 mm/hour     -   Unequivocal cranial symptoms of GCA (new onset localized         headache, scalp or temporal artery tenderness, ischemia-related         vision loss, or otherwise unexplained mouth or jaw pain upon         mastication)     -   At least one of the following:         -   Temporal artery biopsy revealing features of GCA         -   Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), defined as             shoulder and/or hip girdle pain associated with inflammatory             morning stiffness         -   Evidence of large-vessel vasculitis by angiography or             cross-sectional imaging study such us magnetic resonance             angiography (MRA), computed tomography angiography (CTA), or             positron emission tomography-computed tomography angiography             (PET-CTA)     -   New Onset or refractory GCA is classified according to the         following criteria         -   New onset: active GCA diagnosis (clinical signs or symptoms             and ESR>40 mm/hr) made within 4 weeks of baseline visit             (irrespective of whether CS initiated or active disease             activity at baseline visit)         -   Refractory: diagnosis made >4 weeks prior to baseline visit             and active GCA (clinical signs and symptoms and ESR>40             mm/hr) within 4 weeks baseline irrespective of CS treatment

It is anticipated that subcutaneously administered TCZ as disclosed herein will effectively treat GCA, for example by reducing GCA signs and symptoms, maintaining clinical remission, and/or reducing or stopping corticosteroid use in the patient with GCA. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating systemic sclerosis in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering an anti-IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody to the patient in an amount effective to treat the systemic sclerosis, wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose every week, and wherein the anti-IL-6R antibody comprises the light chain and heavy chain amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 2, respectively.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the effective amount improves cutaneous sclerosis, improves physical function, and/or slows progression of organ damage, relative to placebo.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein cutaneous sclerosis improvement is assessed by modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS).
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein physical function improvement is assessed by Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI).
 5. A method of treating systemic sclerosis in a patient comprising subcutaneously administering tocilizumab to the patient, wherein the tocilizumab is administered as a fixed dose of 162 mg per dose every week. 